Studies to support a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture

Under its contract for the provision of scientific advice for aquaculture, CINEA has carried out three studies to support the preparation of guidance documents under the Strategic Guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture. These studies contribute to the broader objective of unlocking the sector’s potential in line with the European Green Deal.

The studies cover key environmental, climate and market dimensions of EU aquaculture:

• Ecosystem services of bivalve mollusc and fish farming in ponds and wetlands
  This study reviews scientific evidence and stakeholder input on the environmental effects of marine bivalve aquaculture and finfish farming in ponds and wetlands. It finds that these systems can deliver important ecosystem services, including improved water quality, nutrient cycling, sediment stabilisation, biodiversity enhancement and the production of nutritious, low-emissions food. The study also identifies possible risks, such as nutrient accumulation, invasive species, disease and plastic pollution, while showing that these impacts are generally linked to poor management or inadequate regulatory oversight rather than to the farming systems themselves.

   

• EU aquaculture: greenhouse gas reduction costs and pathways to net zero by 2050
  This study provides an evidence-based assessment of how the EU aquaculture sector can move towards carbon neutrality by 2050. It analyses emissions across the full farming chain, including feed production and transport, on-farm energy use, vessel use, infrastructure and logistics. Covering five main production systems — cages, non-fed systems, ponds, raceways and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) — the study builds a harmonised EU-wide database of greenhouse gas emissions for 2005–2024 and identifies mitigation options and transition pathways for the sector.

• Feed for aquaculture
  This study examines the role of aquafeeds in building a competitive and resilient EU aquaculture sector. It assesses the current state of feed materials, compound feeds, premixtures and additives for the main farmed and consumed species in the EU, with a focus on regulatory frameworks, market trends, traceability, transparency, alternative and emerging materials, and sustainability. The findings are based on an extensive review of scientific and grey literature, complemented by consultations with stakeholders across the supply chain.

These studies provide an important knowledge base for shaping future EU guidance and supporting the sustainable development of aquaculture across Europe.