Organic aquaculture and aquaponics: Opportunities and Challenges Elena Mente

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1 Organic aquaculture and aquaponics: Opportunities and Challenges Elena Mente University of Thessaly School of Agricultural Sciences Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment Greece

2 ECONOMIC (profitable) ECOLOGICAL (environmentally sound) Balance between conflicting goals? SOCIAL (community development & Social acceptance) 'Overall sustainability of the fishery system requires simultaneous achievement of all four components.'

3 Opportunities for aquaculture ü Expansion possible but in a sustainable way Growth (demand & potential for sustainable intensification) Ø diversifying production techniques off-shore and/or using recirculation systems (high investments) integrated multi-trophic aquaculture /organic aquaculture / aquaponics systems Ø introducing new/lower trophic species

4 Sustainable aquaculture good practices Monitoring, reporting, evaluating, responding and adapting are the main activities for a sustainable aquaculture development. Do the right things Aquaculture development Do the things right Research High quality eco-label products Specific standards in detail Best practises

5 Organic aquaculture Organic aquaculture relies on biological processes to manage the welfare of the animals, the nutrient inputs, the waste that it is produced and the environment in which they live. Organic aquaculture aims at: Minimising the negative effect on the environment Maintaining a high level of biological diversity Respecting animal welfare Satisfying the consumer acceptance (EC) No 834/2007, No 710/2009 and are in force as of 1 July 2010

6 Organic aquaculture Significant increase in production ,000 tonnes million tonnes Main organic aquaculture products in Europe Photo: h'p://

7 Organic regulation Commission Regulation (EC) No 710/ Aug 2009 [ ] laying down detailed rules on organic aquaculture animal and seaweed production Official Journal of the European Union Overall, these regulations aim to certain objectives following a number of fundamental principles.

8 Opportunities for Growth High growth sector for organic food Response to growing consumer preference for healthy and natural products Response to consumer concerns about the environment and sustainability of the industry Good market opportunity for small farms

9 Work is still needed in organic aquaculture - Inadequate supply of organic juveniles except trout ova/fry from Denmark. Lack of organic rules for hatcheries, phytoplankton and zooplankton production. - Stocking densities in hatcheries and grow phase. - Organic feeds, organic weaning diets and fry/fingerling diets and brood-stock diets. Fishmeal from whole fish. Alternative sources of proteins and lipids to optimize dietary amino acid and fatty acid profiles. - Water quality, day-length, transportation, slaughter methods, physical injuries, preventing fish suffering, preserving fish fillet quality. - Reuse of water in line with organic principles, mechanical aerators, renewable energy sources.

10 Challenges for organic aquaculture sustainability of feed supply introduction of bio controls-diseases Importing organic products outside the EU? Regulation? Regulation should be based on scientific information while respecting the organic principles

11 Rules in aquaponics No antibiotics No pesticides Figure from Simon Goddek, Boris Delaide, Utra Mankasingh, Kristin Vala Ragnarsdottir, Haissam Jijakli and Ragnheidur Thorarinsdottir, Challenges of Sustainable and Commercial Aquaponics. In Aquaculture Engineering Aquaponics

12 EU aquaponics hub Aquaponics the symbiotic growing of fish and vegetables in recirculating water systems is emerging as one of the most important areas of sustainable agriculture. The EU Aquaponics Hub is funded by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) in order to promote innovation and capacity building by a network of researchers and commercial aquaponics companies. Our website provides information on the science behind aquaponics, the latest news, and ways for you to get involved.

13 Opportunities Currently, not many aquaponics systems in a large scale Challenges Improve Technical and Technological approach from Research to market from Science to policy, business and public awareness

14 Thank you