It appears that, like the founders of Finfish, the EU has recognised the scale and importance of the challenges and opportunities currently facing aquaculture. In their most recent research funding programme (7th Framework) they have funded several aquaculture innovation projects:
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Smart Fish – Study of specific cell mediated immunity and vaccine optimization against bacterial and viral infections in trout (http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=4&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=011c64317f86:d7c3:3ac67f69&RCN=87346)
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ROSA – Reinforcement of sustainable aquaculture (http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=7&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=011c64317f86:d7c3:3ac67f69&RCN=86244)
- Modelling of non-native fish species responses to climate change (ALIENFISH&CLIMCHANGE) (http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=011c64355bba:b953:4a279c7c&RCN=86641
It appears from their selection of these projects that the EU is currently most strongly focussed on improving the environmental and welfare aspects of the aquaculture industry. This reflects the European Commission’s 2002 strategy for developing the aquaculture sector which established the following objectives:
- Creating secure employment particularly in fisheries dependent areas: the target is the creation of 8 000 to 10 000 full-time job equivalents over the period 2003-2008.
- Providing safe and good quality fisheries products and promoting animal health and welfare standards.
- Ensuring an environmentally sound industry.
Further information about the European Commission’s aquaculture policy is available at http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/aquaculture_processing/aquaculture_en.htm
