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EATiP joins the AAC

Further to today’s special General Meeting, EATiP is delighted to have been officially welcomed as a member of the AAC – the European Aquaculture Advisory Council.  Commenting on the decision, the EATiP President, Gustavo Larrazábal, drew attention to the challenges and opportunities facing European aquaculture, noting: “the cutting edge research and innovation activities for which European aquaculture is justifiably highly regarded will be key in achieving the ambitions for European aquaculture production and realising the targets and objectives that the industry, civil society and regulators aspire to.  EATiP stand ready to lend our support to the AAC in their deliberations and to assist wherever possible through our experience, expertise and membership network, highlighting the role that technology, research and innovation may have to play and bringing strategic research and innovation priorities to the fore in considering further development for a sustainable European aquaculture sector.

EATiP has been supportive of the establishment of the AAC from the first recommendations for such a Council to be established –  as part of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2013. For some time, EATiP has been operating as an observer at AAC and further to some internal organisational readjustments in 2021, EATiP is now able to commit sufficient staff time and resources to be able to operate as a full and active member of the AAC.

A key factor in the EATiP Boad agreeing this decision was set in the context of the adoption of the Com(2021) 236 – Communication for Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021- 2030 and Com(2021) 240 Communication on a new approach to a sustainable blue economy in the EU transforming the EU’s Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future. Within Annex 1 of the Com(2021) 236 (strategic guidelines) a number of points are referenced to the AAC where we feel EATiP will be in a position to assist and collaborate with the AAC and with the European Commission and we look forward to working proactively and productively on this.

Areas of specific interest for EATiP with regard to the AAC and the EU Strategic Guidelines inlcude:

Section 2.4 – Increasing Knowledge and Innovation

  • Encourage aquaculture producers and other stakeholders to work together with research and innovation institutes and public authorities to find solutions to the challenges of the sustainable development of EU Aquaculture
  • Disseminate information on research and innovation projects and their results among members
  • Promote the uptake by the EU aquaculture industry of existing innovation
  • Promote in the aquaculture sector the regular training of aquaculture professionals in particular on how to incorporate innovation practices.

Section 2.3 – Ensuring social acceptance and information to the Consumer

  • Support and ensure the broad dissemination by members of the coordinated EU-wide campaign on EU aquaculture.
  • Promote the use of digitalisation tools and artificial intelligence for the traceability and transparency of aquaculture products.

    Section 2.2 – Participating in the Green Transition

  • Ensure that EU aquaculture producers are informed about relevant research and innovation to improve the environmental performance of aquaculture operations.
  • Ensure that EU aquaculture producers are informed about relevant research and innovation on animal welfare.
  • Promote the monitoring and reporting by the aquaculture industry of environmental indicators. Section 2.1 – Building Resilience and Competitiveness
  • Ensure that EU aquaculture producers are informed about relevant research and innovation on animal-health and public-health matters.
  • Encourage the use by the aquaculture sector of digital tools for increased traceability and transparency.

We identify many areas where EATiP will be able to support and assist these ambitions – not only through dissemination and communication with out membership and Mirror Platform Network, but also through inclusion of AAC activities and membership in our online thematic forum events and “On the Horizon” project dissemination service.

The mutual assistance that may be provided between two multi stakeholder organisations such as the AAC and EATiP towards the promotion of a sustainable European aquaculture is clear – and we look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship together!

EATiP and other food sector Technology Platforms call for a more ambitious budget for Horizon Europe

As part of providing the right framework for an economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic European Heads of State and Governments agreed earlier this week on the EU budget for 2021-2027. Whilst the Council decision provides a clear direction for a rapid decision later this autumn, the reduction in funds allocated to the next Research Program “Horizon Europe” is of concern. Investment in Research and Innovation (R&I) is fundamental to improve food security and the sustainability of EU food systems and ensure development in line with the Green Deal and Farm2Form strategy objectives.

Horizon Europe – the EU Research & Innovation Programme 2021 – 2027

Together with the European Technology Platforms FABRE, Plants for the Future, TP Organics, the National Food Technology Platforms and the Animal Task Force, EATiP addresses an urgent message to the European Council, European Parliament and European Commission on the importance of R&I to support robust and resilient food, agricultural and aquaculture systems.

Read the common statement below:

EATiP AGM 2019 – sum up

EATIP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019

Positioning Aquaculture Innovation and Research for Industry Development

EATiP members and collaborators gathered in Brussels on June 17 and 18 to discuss the positioning of aquaculture innovation and research for the development of the sector.  After the President, Gustavo Larrazábal, opened the event, an update of platform actions and achievements was given by Alexandra Neyts.  The European Commission (DG RTD and DG MARE), the European Committee of the Regions, and the expert group on Blue Skills presented the upcoming strategies, including Horizon Europe, the Blue Economy and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and measures towards an integrated aquaculture policy and innovation.  Priorities developed by co-technology platforms FABRE and Waterborne and by the SCAR-FISH working group were outlined.  Through consultative group discussions, results from the EATiP Mirror Platform exercise on R&I recommendations were debated and refined.  Day two of the General Meeting started with an elaboration of the Copernicus aquaculture joint event (24-25 September in Athens), followed by presentations of project activities, incl. EURASTIPAQUAEXCEL2020AORAPARAFISHCONTROL and AQUA-LIT.  After a discussion on public awareness, previously identified as one of the major challenges of aquaculture in Europe, the floor was opened to all members to provide suggestions for collaborative actions needed to stimulate industry-relevant aquaculture research and innovation in the years to come.

All presentations have been made available to the EATiP members through our joint communication platform.

The summary of the meeting can be downloaded here:

EATiP wants to thank all contributors and participants for motivating us to further engage and collaborate on behalf of the aquaculture multi-stakeholder community!


You can join the EATiP activities by:

–          Becoming a member: see conditions

–          Registering for the Brokerage event in Vietnam and Thailand, supported by the EURASTiP project

–          Signing up for the Copernicus aquaculture workshop (September, Athens)

–          Expressing your interest to present your project at the EU-EATiP Day at Aquaculture Europe ’19, focusing on the low-trophic aquaculture value chain

–          Participating in the aquaculture public outreach survey (through the AORA project)

–          Involving EATiP as a partner in your project proposals

If you have inquiries to any of the above, please contact secretariat@eatip.eu or the General Secretary alexandra@eatip.eu

Aquanaria fish farm in EURONEWS

With a growing population, stagnating global fish captures and changing consumer habits reaching out for more sustainable food resources, aquaculture is increasingly considered as a solution to meet the world’s growing food needs.  EURONEWS has visited the EATiP member fish farm Aquanaria to have a look at how advancements in fish farming technology are creating new opportunities to produce more sustainably and efficiently.

‘Training and Trade’ and to the ‘Sustainable Aquaculture’ session at SeaTechWeek.

On October 10th, Catherine Pons participated at the SeaTechWeek in Brest (France), an international marine science & technology week on marine bioresources.

Norway was guest of honour and several talks and workshops were organised on the latest technologies and methods for better management of marine resources in Norway.

The event lasted 5 days and many parallel sessions took place on Technology, Socio-economics, Management & Preservation, Bio process, Regulation, Environment and Fisheries & Aquaculture.

EATiP was invited to the second round table plenary session, entitled ‘Training and Trade’ and to the ‘Sustainable Aquaculture’.

More on the event @ http://www.seatechweek.eu/

High Energy Mariculture Conference

The 9th edition of the conference and the first to be held as High Energy Mariculture will be held in Corfu, Greece from 17th-19th October. The conference supported by EATiP, has become a staple in the calendars of offshore mariculture industry and the 2018 programme has just been announced.

Sessions will cover:

  • Technology for High Energy operations and includes a presentation from Noralf Rønningen, Project and Development Manager, Aqualine and Board Member, EATiP on preparing technologies and systems for future growth;
  • Site Selection;
  • Hatcheries, breeding and genetics;
  • Feed and fish health;
  • Improving product value through marketing, certification and awards;
  • Business development and investment; and,
  • Successful high energy operations.

The full programme can be viewed here.

 

The conference offers six networking sessions, a conference dinner and a technical visit to the Corfu Sea Farm, allowing delegates to discuss their operations, technology or service away from the conference setting. This will provide delegates with the opportunity to meet with farmers and those involved in the industry first hand.

Places are limited, book online before 17th August and receive a 15% early bird discount by using the code ‘early’.

After the 17th August, members of EATiP are entitled to save 10% on the standard delegate rate – call the conference team on +44 1329 825335 or email conferences@offshoremariculture.com