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The myths and challenges for sustainable aquaculture

Explore the hard facts, myths, and challenges surrounding sustainable aquaculture, including the limitations and proposals for moving forward. Discover the current state of global aquaculture development and growth and the need for environmental protection and innovative practices. Learn about the misconceptions regarding job growth, demand, nutrient loads, feed sourcing, and the risks associated with open systems. Find out how to address these challenges and promote sustainable aquaculture through targeted strategies and support.

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The myths and challenges for sustainable aquaculture

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  1. The myths and challenges for sustainable aquaculture Some hard facts Three common myths Two challenges and limiting factors linked to them CCB Proposals to go forward

  2. Factsaboutaquaculture Development and growth globally has not been sustainable.. Demand driven, its not about feeding the world Aquaculture is not the most regulated sector there is (have a look as fisheries or agriculture..) Public support via EMFF has not supported sustainable aquaculture in measureable way We don’t even have a good def. of sustainable aquaculture or Best Available Technology …but Courts are already interpreting what BAT is…(SE case using Weser ruling in closing operations)

  3. Factsaboutaquaculture CCB Review of use of public money via EMFF… EMFF Article 6 (2): Fostering environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based aquaculture by pursuing the following specific objectives: the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and the enhancement of ecosystems related to aquaculture… the promotion of aquaculture having a high level of environmental protection… We can hardly find any of this in national strategies…

  4. Mythsaboutaquaculture “Growth in aquaculture provides jobs” -Well not really and certainly not in any large numbers..(from Eurostat) Since 2008-2017: EU production 3,4 m € to 4,1m € Baltic region, production 2009-2016: -ca 138 000 t -jobs 2008-2017 ca 3200-3000 -interesting example Sweden: 100% increase in production, yet same amount employed..

  5. Mythsaboutaquaculture A growing demand from where and at what price? – niche fin fish We can hardly compete with Asia, C. and S.America. ..compete with what we have Growth as in new actors is not in interest of existing operators Realistic growth rate perhaps 2-3% a year in the region?

  6. Mythsaboutaquaculture “We can use compensation measures to offset nutrient loads” Mussel farming in Baltic highly questionable: At salt water levels around 7-8‰ grow 2,5 cm 30 months About half nutrient content compared to western seas with 20-25 ‰ (more water, less N) Costs around 60 €/kg N and 900€/kg P Baltic BlueGrowthprojectgoal 25t/ha, reachedonly 12 so far (7kg P and 100kg N/ha) Load to Baltic/year 30 000t P, 1 milj. t N…

  7. Mythsaboutaquaculture • “We use only Baltic feed to make it nutrient neutral” • Feed more or less same past 5 years; open cage solutions favored. A “Baltic feed” does not exist.. • Nutrient losses and loads will increase with increased production • Local impacts still a problem, highly depending on placement • Even risk of increasing anoxic areas is hardly acceptable in the Baltic Sea

  8. Challenge: feed and fishing • New ingredients not available yet – operational 5-10 years time, year 2019-2024, expensive? • We are left with current feed ca 35-40% fish content (IFFO/FAO numbers) • Veg. content must also be sustainable! Current expansion Plans means an additional 264 650 tonnes of wild fish (FAO outlook)

  9. Challenge: feed and fishing • 1/3 of world total catch is fishmeal/oil (IFFO/FAO) • High seas IUU fishery NOT under control • CFP demands fishing below MSY, MSFD GES: • Currently ca 39% stock are overfished in EU alone • Ca 45% of stocks, status unknown, no assessments • In relation to MSFD, 74% of stocks not as GES • Baltic pelagic stocks fully utilized ca 600 000t Room for increased production?

  10. Challenge: disease, parasites, escapees In open systems parasites and diseases a serious risk (VHS and other rhabdoviruses, BKD, Flavobacterosis, etc)and new parasites will come in, climate change.. Poor, if any control of imports of material (vertical transfer - born with the pathogen in bodies) Treatment of wild fish is impossible Escapees is a problem, nature finds ways.. -Proof of rainbow sustained pop. in Norway; Study from 2015 stated more than 130 confirmed or potential self-sustaining populations in EU

  11. What to do then? Almost all mentioned problems controllable in ”closed” systems! (- however feed remains to be solved!) Aquaponics is growing (superiorfresh.comlargest in the world) Define a BAT concept and steer all financial support to such production only, always use the EIA tool At the same time limit the use of public funding to not create a dependent sector

  12. What to do then? Look at alternative species to farm Set clear targets for the use of “new” or alternative feed and embed such targets in permits -Creating a demand for alternatives is likely needed to push down prices Help the industry by making start-up operations easier Realize that the industry needs entrepreneurs and not “scientist”

  13. Change perception and storytelling.. Oh yes, it is a farmedfish from the Merkel Farm around the block! Is thisfishsustainable? Thankyou for listening

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