Assessment of Mediterranean Aquaculture Sustainability

2020

Aquaculture sustainability builds upon its environmental, economic, sociological and governance dimensions and although the recent global interest in aquaculture sustainability has arisen due to the rapid expansion of the sector, lack of consensus and diverging conflicts among stakeholders have often compromised and lessen the achievement of real actions to ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture. The use of indicators in aquaculture is considered one of the most appropriate tools to monitor and assess the growth of sustainable aquaculture activities. In this study, we present the main outcomes of a broad project implemented by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) called “Indicators for the sustainable development of aquaculture and guidelines for their use in the Mediterranean” (2008-2015), with emphasis on the relevance of the process that – in the areas of several Mediterranean...

… sector. A reference publication for …, 2008

Basurco B. (ed.). The Mediterranean fisheries sector. A reference publication for the VII meeting of Ministers of agriculture and fisheries of CIHEAM member countries (Zaragoza, Spain, 4 february 2008) Zaragoza : CIHEAM / FAO / GFCM Options Méditerranéennes : Série B. Etudes et Recherches; n. 62 2008 pages 113-124 Article available on lin e / Article dispon ible en lign e à l'adresse :

Cover pictures: Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in a floating cage, Italy, © FAO Aquaculture photo library / F. Cardia Cover design by A. Nastasi

2016

This document was made possible by the participation of a large number of Mediterranean experts in various fields from several countries, including sociologists and economists, researchers, producers and managers. This multicultural and multidisciplinary approach has enriched the final result presented here. The three pillars of sustainable development, namely that it be economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally acceptable, are addressed at three spatial scales—farm/company, national, and international or Mediterranean region—which have clearly distinct needs. Similarly, the interactions between aquaculture and the other activities taking place around it are also considered. Because of the cultural and political mosaic that makes up the Mediterranean region, the indicators used in this volume address the inherent particularities of each country, such as aspects of their economies and cultures or their different levels of aquaculture development. These indicators have been chosen to be easily measurable, applicable to all countries in the region, viable over time and relevant to sustainability

511 FINAL was a landmark for European aquaculture and looked to build on the excellent growth seen in the sector during the 1990s. This study compares the impact of the 2002 Communication as perceived by various stakeholders across Europe, measured against recent statistics, facts, outcomes of economic, legislative and research processes. While the core objectives of consumer health and safety and environmental issues were perceived to have been partially successful, the growth and development objective was not. In the period examined, Community aquaculture production has stagnated and even declined in some species sectors. Aquaculture development since 2002 was perceived to have been held back by access to coastal and rural space, including competition from other resource users. The administrative burdens placed on (new) aquaculture operations was also considered to be important. Reasons for the gap between the perceived impact and "documented" implementation success of the 2002 strategy are suggested. Some of the less successful actions have also been recognised by the Commission in its COM(2009) 162 aquaculture strategy.

2021

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Moreover, the designations employed and the presentations of material in this information product have been provided for users' convenience without any representation when compiled and do not purport to represent reality truthfully. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. Countries/States The words "countries" and "States" appearing in the text refers to countries, territories and areas without distinction. CONTENTS 1 OUTLINE OF THE SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES SECTOR, ITS VALUE CHAINS AND ECONOMIC ACCOUNTS IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS 1.1 Trends in international production, trade and consumption 1.2 Figures of the small scale fisheries sector 1.3 Mediterranean fisheries sector 1.4 Global crisis and its impact on small scale fisheries 1.5 Sustainability issues in fish supply chains MAIN COMPONENTS OF LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL VALUE CHAINS RELATED TO SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES PRODUCTION 2.1 Global fishery value chains 2.2 Drivers and governors of change on fish demand and supply 2.3 Main components of small-scale fisheries value chain COSTS AND EARNINGS ANALYSIS OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES AND REASONS FOR DIFFERENCES 3.1 Value chain and cost earnings analysis 3.2 Price linkages in value-chains 3.3 Revenue distribution through the seafood value chain 3.4 Value addition opportunities in the small-scale seafood industry ANALYSIS OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES PRODUCTION THROUGH THE VALUE CHAIN METHOD 4.1 The value chain concept applied to fisheries and aquaculture 4.2 Main steps in value chain analysis 4.3 The Value chain upgrading strategy World per capita consumption (round weight) is expected to increase 8 percent over the decade, from 19 kg to 20.6 kg per person. Most of this growth will be supplied by aquaculture (OCDE and FAO, 2013).

2013

Bulletin of The European Association of Fish Pathologists, 2022

Aquaculture of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) is an essential activity in the Mediterranean basin. Several EU Horizon 2020 and regional projects are focusing on the improvement of their farming performance. This workshop aimed at displaying, sharing and discussing projects' achievements among interested colleagues engaged to work with fish diseases. The most innovative research outputs aiming to improve the European mariculture were presented during this workshop, including updates from EU Horizon 2020 projects MedAID, PerformFISH, ParaFishControl, FutureEUAqua and the Italy-Croatia Interreg project AdriAquaNet.

Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development

Contribution of aquaculture to global food security has increased significantly, especially after the realization that the capture fisheries have approached their maximum take and the land-based farming systems are facing serious constraints. Aquaculture should pursue the sustainable development goals to be able to deliver the expected supplies. It can do so by bringing about transformations consistent with the principles of sustainable development. Aquaculture influences the oceans and their ecosystem services negatively as well as positively, depending on the pathways of its development. It is pertinent to highlight the implications of both these impacts and present specific case scenarios that provide evidence of how the ecological aquaculture can benefit the environment, society and economy. Success of such aquaculture models can be measured through sustainability indicators. This paper elaborates these issues while providing an account of the role of aquaculture in food security.