Aquaculture development trends in Europe
Váradi, L.; Szucs, I.; Pekár, F.; Blokhin, S.; Csavas, I. (2001). Aquaculture development trends in Europe, in: Subasinghe, R.P. et al. Aquaculture in the third millennium: Technical proceedings of the Conference on Aquaculture in the Third Millennium, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-25 February 2000. pp. 397-416
In: Subasinghe, R.P. et al. (Ed.) (2001). Aquaculture in the third millennium: Technical proceedings of the Conference on Aquaculture in the Third Millennium, Bangkok, Thailand, 20-25 February 2000. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Rome. ISBN 9789747313550. viii, 471 pp., more
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Document type: Conference paper
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| Keywords |
Aquaculture
Development
Fish farming
Production > Agricultural production > Animal production > Fish production
ANE, Europe [Marine Regions]
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| Authors | | Top |
- Váradi, L.
- Szucs, I.
- Pekár, F.
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| Abstract |
The aquaculture sector is diverse, encompassingtraditional artisanal and family operations, medium-scale fish-farm businessesand multinational mariculture enterprises. Technology is likewise diverse. Morethan 90 percent of the aquaculture farms are small and geographically dispersed.In 1997, total aquaculture production from the region [excluding the formerUSSR countries) was 1.7 million mt valued at US$3.8 million, or 4.6 percentof world output and 7.6 percent of the total value. This 1997 output was 44percent higher than that of 1988, but growth has been slowing down since 1990.Most of the production comes from mariculture, the share of fresh- and brackishwaterproduction being only around 20 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Major speciescultured are salmonids, although Europe also leads in the production of otherspecies such as turbot, European eel, mussels, European seabass and giltheadseabream. The leaders are Norway, France, Spain and Italy, contributing together67 percent of the region’s production. Carp in earthen ponds dominatesthe aquaculture of Eastern and Central Europe, although the total carp productionwas only 5 percent of the total aquaculture output of the region. The critical features of aquaculture as a natural resource-based sector havebeen recognized within the European Union (EU), but there is need to strengthenaquaculture policy in countries where aquaculture is not yet considered as anequal-right user of resources. R & D support has been concentrated on thetechnical aspects, so that there is a need to start to place more emphasis onenvironmental and social aspects, for sustainability and competitiveness. Otherconstraints include increasing market competition, falling or static prices,and rising production and marketing costs throughout the region. In Centraland East Europe, the absorption capacity of markets has shrunk due to decreasedpurchasing power. Most of their products are not competitive in the export markets.For the whole of Europe, competition from relatively cheap imports from otherregions is another problem. Another trend seen in European aquaculture developmentis lower government intervention. However, the need is seen for centralizedregulations and coordinated efforts to ensure equitable allocation and sustainablemanagement of resources and more public participation in decision-making. Thedevelopment of institutional capacities still requires considerable nationaland international effort in Central and Eastern Europe, with special regardto quality and disease control, training facilities, training in business managementand information systems. Intra-European exchange of information and collaborationamong institutions has been strong in the region. There is an emerging importanceof producer organizations to provide members with price and market information,as well as acting as fora to develop common policies on a wide range of issues.Regional projects in Europe supported by EU are providing examples of the importantrole of information networking in bringing together scientists, producers, regulatorsand nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to resolve various issues. |
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