The international growth of aquaculture
activities inevitably has a direct effect on the
sustainability of the European sector that
produces principally fish and shellfish.
The profession’s main issues and concerns were
discussed at the International Aquaculture
Conference organized this week in Brussels
by the European Bureau for Conservation and
Development (EBCD) and the
International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) in partnership with the
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
and promoted by the Spanish Ministry of
Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs.
Conference participants included representatives
of the consumers associations, the retailer
sector, the aquaculture sector (both from the EU
and third countries), EU policy makers (European
Commission, Parliament, Presidency,
representatives of the Member States), the FAO,
environmental organisations, associations and
trade unions.
The key objective of this conference was to
examine and demonstrate how aquaculture, as a
food production professional activity, can be
recognised in the framework of sustainable
development as being compatible with other
horizontal policies such as development, trade
and other policies.
The conference looked at the different elements
of aquaculture that can contribute in a coherent
way to food security, economic growth and
employment while respecting the objectives of
sustainable development.
