Aquaculture Vision for 2040: Key Recommendations for Sustainable Growth

Strategic Insights -

The Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) has published a strategic document outlining a vision for the sector by 2040. The document highlights aquaculture's indispensable role in ensuring food security, sustainability, and resilience for the European Union. EFFOP, a member of the AAC, has contributed to this vision, emphasizing the sector's importance in producing healthy, sustainable, and welfare-friendly products.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU produced around 1.1 million tons of aquaculture products in 2022, but imported twice as much, highlighting the need to close this gap.
  • Increasing aquaculture production by 75,000 tons per year could halve import dependency by 2040 and strengthen the Union's resilience.
  • The AAC recommends creating an independent EU Vision for Aquaculture, in line with the Union's objectives for food autonomy, food security, and resilience.
  • A Blue Foods Action Plan is proposed to complement the Aquaculture Vision and strengthen the EU's aquatic food system.
  • Stronger sustainability clauses in trade agreements are suggested to ensure that imported aquaculture products meet EU equivalent social, environmental, and animal welfare standards.
  • Recognition of seafood production, including fishmeal and fish oil, as a pillar of EU food security is emphasized.
  • Mandatory labelling of health information on seafood products is proposed to inform consumer choice and support a resilient and sustainable food system.

Statistics:

  • 1.1 million tons of aquaculture products were produced in the EU in 2022.
  • The EU imports twice as much aquaculture products as it produces.
  • Closing the production gap by 75,000 tons per year could halve import dependency by 2040.
  • The EU aims to produce 1.175 million tons of aquaculture products by 2040 to reduce import dependency.
  • Smooth implementation of new policies will be essential to achieve EU's ambitious goals.
  • The EU aims to produce 75,000 more tons of aquaculture products annually, ensuring increased food security and sustainability.

Sources:

  • Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC), A Vision for Aquaculture in 2040