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Counterplan: The European Union should implement and share all relevant data with the United States
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Aquaculture EU Can solve for aquaculture – new developments
European Commission 14, European Commission, 5/13/14, the European Commission is an organization that reports on news coming out of the EU, “Aquaculture,” http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/aquaculture/index_en.htm, NN
Farming finfish, shellfish and aquatic plants is one of the world's fastest growing food sectors, it already provides the planet with about half of all the fish we eat. A fifth of EU fish production by volume comes from aquaculture. © Lionel Flageul In Europe, aquaculture accounts for about 20% of fish production and directly employs some 80 000 people. EU aquaculture is renowned for its high quality, sustainability and consumer protection standards. EU overall output has been more or less constant in volume since 2000 whereas global production has been growing at nearly 7% per year. The Commission intends to boost aquaculture through the Common Fisheries Policy reform, and has published Strategic Guidelines presenting common priorities and general objectives at EU level. Four priority areas have been identified in consultation with all relevant stakeholders: reducing administrative burdens improving access to space and water increasing competitiveness exploiting competitive advantages due to high quality, health and environmental standards. On the basis of the guidelines, the Commission and EU countries will collaborate to help increasing the sector's production and competitiveness. EU countries are asked to set up multiannual plans to promote aquaculture. The Commission will help with the coordination and exchange of best practices.
EU is leading in aquaculture development – programs such as aquaexcel
AQUATT 13, AQUATT, 5/2/13, AQUATT is a leading program in scientific research specifically in regards to ocean development, “Europe's Leading Aquaculture Researchers Gather in Brussels for AQUAEXCEL Meeting,” http://www.aquatt.ie/2013-03-14-09-29-31/full-news-list/679-europe-s-leading-aquaculture-researchers-gather-in-brussels-for-aquaexcel-meeting, NN
Many of Europe’s leading aquaculture researchers gathered in Brussels on 9 - 11 April 2013 for the second annual meeting of the AQUAEXCEL (Aquaculture Infrastructures for Excellence in European Fish Research) project. Launched in March 2011, AQUAEXCEL aims to integrate key aquaculture research infrastructures across Europe in order to promote their coordinated use and development. The project’s focus is on further improving the efficiency of aquaculture production and the many activities to support this. The meeting, which was attended by EC representatives, provided the project's partners with the opportunity to analyse the achievements and results of AQUAEXCEL to date, which include: conducting a comprehensive mapping of aquaculture research infrastructure capacity across Europe; developing and sharing unique methodologies; and facilitating transnational access to aquaculture research facilities throughout Europe. AQUAEXCEL press release April 2013 Brussels Meeting PhotographMarc Vandeputte is the coordinator of AQUAEXCEL: "This meeting presents us with a platform to discuss and analyse the work achieved so far. It's important that we take this opportunity to assess the level of progress we have made. It also affords us the opportunity to identify how we can improve as we continue to deliver on our targets for the remainder of the project." The project has published the first in a series of booklets aimed at a general public audience, which will outline AQUAEXCEL's key achievements. The first booklet, AQUAEXCEL Key Achievements 2011 - 2013, is available in hard copy format and is downloadable from www.aquaexcel.eu. "As consumers become more concerned about where their food comes from, the European aquaculture sector faces complex challenges. AQUAEXCEL is actively working to address these challenges through our transnational access activities, which enable scientists and researchers to freely access aquaculture research not available in their own countries; through our networking activities, which foster a culture of cooperation between AQUAEXCEL and other scientific communities; and through our joint research activities, which aim to improve the quality and quantity of services provided by aquaculture research infrastructures," explained Marc Vandeputte.
The EU is leading technology in the aquaculture field – only one with substantial investments and reforms coming up in the near future
EEA 14, European Environmental Agency, nearest date given is 2014, the EEA is a leading source of education on the EU’s differing environmental policies, “Fisheries and Aquaculture,” http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/environmental_assessment_report_2003_10/kiev_chapt_02_5.pdf, NN
Greater integration of environmental concerns, and the application of the ‘precautionary principle’ to fisheries and aquaculture management are key elements of EU fisheries policy and are specifically mentioned in the EU’s plans for the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP) (European Commission, 2002b). Most of these elements are reiterated in other national, bilateral and regional agreements and conventions. Commitments are increasingly being made, at national, international and EU levels to a more ecosystem-based approach to fisheries and aquaculture management. Management regimes are normally designed to control pressures (e.g. fishing capacity) and impacts through a combination of quotas, gear controls, closed areas, and vessel restrictions. Controls on the economic driving forces (e.g. capping prices, sales or salaries) are rarely considered - indeed, subsidies are often available which may undermine other management initiatives. Membership of international fisheries organisations (IFOs) (see Figure 2.5.1) gives a rough indication of a country’s commitment to fisheries management. Membership of IFOs is high in western European (WE) and central and eastern European (CEE) countries but low among the countries of eastern Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia (EECCA). Many of the fisheries in EECCA are in large transboundary inland lakes or seas (e.g. Caspian Sea, Aral Sea, Lake Peipus). It is not necessary to form an IFO in these situations, but coordinated management is required. This is becoming more common, which is encouraging. The role of IFOs in the management of international fisheries is expected to expand with increasing monitoring and the application of sanctions in cases of non-compliance. Fisheries and aquaculture production index Notes: The economic fisheries production index provides a signal of income levels derived from fishing. Under the circumstances of a falling index fishermen and vessel owners are more likely to seek to increase income from further fishing activity, while others may choose to leave the industry. The reverse is likely in a rising index. The index has been calculated using the first-hand value of fish catch expressed in terms of value per full-time fisherman, modified by the strength of the local economy, and the technological scale (power) of the local fleet, indexed against a base year of 1994. Includes only Belgium, France, Greece, Netherlands and United Kingdom as all required data were only available for these. 1999 data point should be approached with caution as not all data are available for all countries. Sources: Anon, 2000 and 2001b; FAO, 2002; OECD, 2001; Eurostat New Cronos database, 2002; Pacific Exchange Rate Service, no date; Anon, 2001b; World Bank, 2001 Number of members Possible membership Membership Figure 2.5.1. European membership of international fisheries organisations with a European area of operation 2002 Notes: EIFAC: European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission. ICCAT: International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna. GFCM: General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (responsible for the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and connecting waters). Georgia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine are not members of GFCM, but experts participate at GFCM meetings concerning the Black Sea. NEAFC: North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. NASCO: North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization. IBSFC: International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission. Possible membership: the number of countries with fisheries relevant to the international fisheries organisations’ area of operation. Membership: the number of countries that are members of the international organisation. Some EU countries are not represented on international organisations individually but by the European Union. Countries represented by the EU are included in the number of countries counted as being ‘members’. Some countries are also members of other international fisheries organisations, which have a remit for fisheries in other areas of the world, e.g. the North West Atlantic, the Antarctic. Sources: EIFAC, GFCM, IBSFC, NEAFC, NASCO, ICCAT 2.5.2. Fisheries 2.5.2.1. Economic drivers and pressures Most of the fisheries in Europe are overexploited and declining catches have not reduced fishing pressures. In some cases, the profitability of fisheries has decreased and those with significant committed investment have had little choice but to fish harder to pay off their investment. This type of influence is represented in the fisheries economic production index shown in Figure 2.5.2, which suggests that income has declined in recent years following a peak in the mid- 1990s. This may elicit a variety of responses from fishermen: to fish harder in order to maintain income; to circumvent legal constraints on fishing activity; to leave the industry if suitable alternatives exist; or to shift to other fisheries, such as shellfisheries. Subsidies, and especially capital subsidies, have exacerbated the problem. On a more positive note, technical advances and improved labour productivity have, to some extent, compensated for declining catches. Further, rising prices associated with declining catches have tended to stabilise earnings, but these same factors can also facilitate and encourage substantial increases in effort and levels of exploitation. Profitability, tradition and, in some places, lack of alternatives remain the main incentives to invest in fishing enterprises and continue fishing.
Countries such as spain put the EU ahead in terms of aquaculture technology
Murias 14, Analia Murias, 6/17/14, Murias is a staff writer for FIS, specifically in energy production, “Spanish aquaculture maintains its EU leadership,” http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=17&id=69258&l=e&country=0&special=&ndb=1&df=0, NN
Spanish aquaculture continues leading production in the European Union (EU), stated the head of the General Department of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA), Carlos Dominguez. According to the figures released by the official, who is also president of the Spanish Aquaculture Observatory Foundation (OESA), in 2012 the country produced more than 265,000 tonnes of aquaculture resources. In socioeconomic terms, aquaculture provides direct employment in the country to more than 20,000 workers in 5,130 establishments. Dominguez made these statements at the opening of the exhibition 'Aquaculture? Discover it,' organized by OESA with collaboration of the Secretariat of Culture, Education and University Planning and the Department for Rural and Marine Affairs of Xunta de Galicia. "Many expectations depend on aquaculture to meet the growing demand for fish protein," he stressed. The Fisheries Secretary also recalled that in the last 50 years the consumption of fishery products worldwide doubled, being 19 kilograms per capita per year in 2012. And he said it was possible thanks to the experienced aquaculture activity, which changed from producing 1.6 million tonnes in 1960 to 66.6 million tonnes in 2012. According to Dominguez, in the last two years, the Fisheries General Secretariat, with the autonomous communities, laid the foundation for developing aquaculture. "We have provided this activity with instruments and tools that allow us, in the area of our expertise, to strengthen its competitiveness through the Strategic Innovation and Technological Development in Fisheries and Aquaculture," he added. Furthermore, he indicated that the Secretariat is working to strengthen and consolidate the control and supervision mechanisms, and consumer information; and to enhance the activity of the industry organizations. It is about "contributing to sustainable and sustained Spanish aquaculture growth," he explained. The 2014-2020 Multiannual Strategic Plan of the Spanish Aquaculture gathers the strategic lines and acts to be implemented in that period, setting targets for future development, linked to joint funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). This Plan shall be approved by the National Marine and Continental Aquaculture Advisory Boards in the coming weeks, and will be submitted to the European Commission (EC), together with the Operational Programme of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund in October. EMFF Regulation establishes five major support lines to the aquaculture sector, "which will foster a competitive, sustainable, innovative, job-creating and efficient aquaculture in the use of resources," stated the Secretary of Fisheries. "We must respond to the real needs of businesses, understanding that they should be the companies themselves, with the collaboration of the investigators, who identify future priorities," he concluded.
Programs such as AQUABEST show that the EU is paving the way in retard to aquaculture development
Reeh 14, Line Reeh, 4/22/14, Reeh is a staff writer for the AQUABEST project, “AQUABEST - A LEADER IN SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE,” http://www.aquabestproject.eu/news-and-events/news/aquabest-a-leader-in-sustainable-aquaculture.aspx, NN
Aquaculture has been the fastest growing food production sector globally during the last two decades. In opposite to the global trend, aquaculture production in the eastern Baltic Sea region has stagnated. A new Interreg/EU-project involving partners from eight countries hopes to change that - with a strong focus on sustainable practices and technologies. "Fish farming is an industry that holds considerable development and export potential - provided that it is conducted in an environmentally friendly manner using the latest green technology and know-how, and that is what this project is all about," says Danish project leader and senior advisory scientist Alfred Jokumsen, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua). The EU funded AQUABEST-project involves 14 partners from 8 countries and unites a broad range of representatives from national and regional authorities, researchers, producer organizations, feed industry as well as national and international organizations. The first project meeting is to take place next week at DTU Aqua in Hirtshals, Denmark (from the 18th to the 20th April of 2012). As part of the meeting the participants will get the opportunity to visit and learn from the cutting-edge farming technologies of the high-tech and environmentally friendly Model Trout Farms that have been developed in Denmark in collaboration between DTU Aqua and the Danish industry. The participants will visit Lerkenfeldt Fish Farm at Farsø and Abild Fish Farm at Videbæk. Environmentally friendly Model Trout farms The Danish Model Trout farms are an environmental success. "The high-tech and eco-friendly Model Trout Farms use water from boreholes rather than from watercourses. Consequently, the watercourse is free from obstacles such as dams and sluices, and wild fish can move freely to and from their breeding grounds and the sea, hugely benefiting the natural populations," says Alfred Jokumsen, DTU Aqua. Furthermore, Model Trout Farms are based on recirculation technology, meaning that a Model Trout farm reuses as much as 95 percent of the water, dramatically reducing water consumption. The farms clean the water internally by means of mechanical and biological filtration. Afterwards the water is led into a constructed wetland where the remaining nutrients - such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter - are removed. "A main goal of AQUABEST is to transfer these technologies to other regions and further develop them to adapt in brackish water conditions of the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, although recirculation farms already release much less nutrients in the effluent than conventional farms, nitrogen release of these farms can be further diminished," explains Alfred Jokumsen. DTU Aqua will also contribute to AQUABEST with a feasibility study to investigate the possibilities for implementing the new technologies in the Baltic region. This study will include geography, climate, population structures and political and economic conditions, water quality, environmental legislation, level of education, processing conditions, markets etc.
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