A Sustainable future for European Aquaculture Mobilising Europe's Research Potential

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Committee on Fisheries Brussels, Tuesday 23 rd February 2010 A Sustainable future for European Aquaculture Mobilising Europe's Research Potential Aquaculture in the EU 27 represents a turnover of 3 billion/annum and 65,000 jobs Dr Peter B. Heffernan Chief Executive Marine Institute IRELAND

2 Building A Sustainable Future For Aquaculture Realisation of the potential of the European aquaculture sector requires adding value to our assets and overcoming constraints. To achieve this, the EC has committed itself to: "pursue efforts in aquaculture R&D, and allocate a sufficient EU budget to aquaculture projects to further develop the knowledge base for sustainable and competitive aquaculture practices". Success demands that we work together: Commission Services Member States Public Private Sectors

3 An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union Policy Framework European Strategy for Marine & Maritime Research (2008) Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy Water Framework Directive (2000) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2009) Issues: Increased competition for ocean/marine space. New enabling technologies ( omics sciences and blue biotechnology). Challenges and opportunities posed by global climate change. Knowledge to support evidence based policy and decision making. New governance tools (e.g. Maritime Spatial Planning).

4 Research, Technological Development And Innovation Can Make A Significant Difference. FP6 Projects related (at least partially) to aquaculture aquaculture (graph courtesy of Commission) Disease Seafood quality Production Methods & Systems New Rearing Technologies Feed - Nutrition (4) (17 )) (15 ) (5) (14 ) ICZM (1) International Cooperation Reproduction, Genetics & Breeding HAB (9) (5) (6) 75 projects (aquaculture specific) 98 M EU contribution Interaction with Environment (9) Aquaculture / Welfare Dissemination (4) (4) EC contribution FP6 ( ): 98 million allocated to aquaculture research :

5 A Journey Is Made Up Of Many Small Steps Linked Together In A Co-ordinated Way These small steps include: A critical assessment of current research to answer the question Are we doing the right research? A mechanism in the FP7 Theme 2 Programme to advise and actively promote aquaculture research priorities. A Scientific Committee on Aquaculture Research. environmental policy issues, competition for space and the question of awareness are identified critical contributors to the stagnation of the sector these are areas that need to be immediately addressed in the research agenda. Link existing support mechanisms: Structural Funds Research Funds (FP) Regional Development Funds (INTERREG) Competitiveness & Innovation Funds (CIP)

6 A Sustainable future for European Aquaculture Mobilising Europe's Research Potential Conclusions: Research, Technology and Innovation can make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the European aquaculture sector and research and research funding must be increased in volume and scope within EU R&D Support Programmes particularly the 7 th Framework Programme. Aquaculture Research, Technology and Innovation must be focussed to address priority problems and overcome real barriers. Recommendation 1: Undertake a critical assessment and evaluation of current aquaculture research against identified problems and barriers to answer the question: Are we delivering the right research? Recommendation 2: Increase the profile, scope and intensity of aquaculture research in the FP7 Programme by establishing a Scientific Committee for Aquaculture Research to advise the FP7 Theme 2 Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Biotechnology Programme Committee. Recommendation 3: More emphasis needs to be placed on research in the area of governance, to support evidence based policy and decision making and develop appropriate tools (e.g. MSP). Recommendation 4: There is a need to develop better links between the various EU support schemes: Structural Funds Research Funds (FP) Regional Funds (INTERREG) Innovation Funds (CIP).