Aquaculture Research Collaborative Hub -UK (ARCH-UK)

Transcription

1 Aquaculture Research Collaborative Hub -UK (ARCH-UK) Workshop WG 6: Markets, Economics, Social Science and Technology Development WG leads: David Little Lars Johanning As a result the successful proposal formed the newly Aquaculture Research Collaborative Hub -UK (ARCH-UK), that is funded by the BBSRC/NERC Aquaculture Initiative for 4 years. Networks will facilitate the development of a community of people that works together towards a mutual goal of sustainable aquaculture systems and work with the Research Councils to help ensure their investments supports high-quality, innovative, research that builds UK academic capability and underpinning capacity and meets the long term needs of the sector.

2 Stakeholder meeting Fishmongers Hall, 24 th May A group of 25 stakeholders (of 60+ invited within a short response time) worked on 4 sequential pieces of small mixed group work to cross fertilise ideas, and to identify contemporary research issues

3 WG 6 ( Markets, Economics, Social Science and Technology Development ) Fact: 1. Aquaculture is a major direct and indirect employer (processing, transportation, engineering, services) in remote areas that lack other alternative economic opportunities. 2. Much of the engineering and technology used in the aquaculture sector has been developed by the industry as a result of innovation, largely within SMEs. Market & Economics Social Science Future Needs: Technology Developments 1. With the expectation that Aquaculture Industry should operate in more challenging environments and potentially in more contained systems; demand for integrated bespoke and innovative technological solutions will be required. 2. Inter-disciplinary and cross-cutting research is needed to advance aquaculture systems

4 Starting out-knowledge-needs for development of sustainable aquaculture in the U.K. short term: 1. Markets & Economics Review potential solutions for the recycling of waste products from the fish and shellfish sector Opportunities to add value to products and to reduce production costs 2. Social Sciences Review of societal issues required to continue ability to operate within the biological scope of the species cultivated Consumer preferences change and vary between and within domestic and export markets 3. Technology Development Require technical innovative solutions to ensure animal welfare and condition (e.g. during exports of high quality, and in many cases live shellfish from the UK to continental Europe, and beyond) Review of the technology development required to continue ability to operate within the biological scope of the species cultivated

5 Starting out-for development of sustainable aquaculture in the U.K. Long term: 1. Markets & Economics Investment in the sector, financial incentives and barriers especially in relation to SMEs Addressing socio-economic issues and the rural economy 2. Social Sciences Meeting the societal challenges: welfare and eco-labelling Availability and training of a suitably skilled workforce 3. Technology Development Integration of new technologies with the aquaculture sector Assess the capacity to monitor, manage and conduct operations and husbandry remotely Physical engineering challenges such as advanced technology

6 WG 6 ( Markets, Economics, Social Science and Technology Development ) 1. Market Developments / Needs UK domestic market Global market 2. Technology Developments / Needs Near-shore Off-shore Visioning process (10 year ) 3. Cross-cutting research Needs Cross-discipline research (health/nutrition/technology/disease/etc.) Cross-discipline industry strategies (market/technology/etc.)

7 Visioning the future Global UK What will demand for farmed seafood in look like?

8 New data required Data available Both Key issues Key issues Technologyrelatetechnology related Technology-related Non- Non-technology Both related

9 Market Key issues Developments / Needs UK domestic market Global market

10 Key Technology issues Developments / Needs Near-shore Off-shore

11 Crossdiscipline research (health/nutriti on/technology /disease/etc.) Cross-discipline industry strategies (market/technology /etc.) Cross-cutting Key issues research Needs

12 Key issues

13 Common issues-finfish and shellfish

14 Technology There are co-location opportunities for both finfish and shellfish. Not limited to conventional inshore IMTA but encompassing off shore energy production The development of sensors and remote monitoring increasingly linked to offshore both finfish and shellfish requirements; concomitant interest in smart sensors/alarms for high capital land-based system.

15 Market development UK Domestic Market knowledge gaps-domestic, global or common to both differences between Scotland and the rest of the UK, and shellfish and finfish. Lack of plans for the England and Wales are in contrast to Scotland, Norway etc. Low profile of health benefits of farmed seafood was raised as an issue for both finfish and shellfish and their absence from ongoing One health initiatives Role of farmed seafood is sustainable diets has been poorly researched or ignored and a need for their greater integration into mainstream conversations about food Lack of effective branding (Scottish, British, English or whatever), Poor consumer knowledge and a paucity of market and product development of processed fish and shellfish underlying issues. Dedicated market strategy directed towards next generation (young generation) to change acceptance and perception to aqua culture product. These factors also contributed to poor general perceptions of aquaculture as an activity and source of food among the media and general public as they failed to offset negativity related to perceived environmental and social impacts

16 Market development UK/Global Role of certification for sustainable market development for both shellfish and finfish was highlighted. Role of EU membership -impacts on production and trade rules and the need for scale and identity (brand) if global markets were to be built and sustained Success in global markets was felt to require differentiation, novel products and competitive prices Significant knowledge gaps exist in terms of understanding global markets. How (process and mechanisms) can understanding of increasingly dynamic markets be improved.?

17 Mapping outcomes against previous study (Jones et al., 2015) Practitioners and scientists rankings

18 R&D needs Adaptation to climate change impacts on species and systems critical Spatial planning approaches based on current and novel species and systems that are linked to establishing the social licence to operate were perceived as being crucial for sustained investment. Any strategic industry move towards investment in (non-conventional) i.e. offshore, IMTA and/or RAS systems requires demonstrated cost effectiveness and global environmental credentials. Open, accessible knowledge available to societal actors (journalists, NGOs) to build trust and for its use in marketing to both local and global consumers Look at practical issues relating to health properties, for example, salt reduction in mussels: Cost effectiveness of RAS vs LCA (Life-Cycle Assessment) impacts 'LCA (Life-Cycle Assessment) and Cost-Benefit gains of fish packaging material... perceptions vs competing products

19 ..other work

20 Global impacts of diet

21 towards policy change