Vision 2040: research and innovation to unlock the potential of EU aquaculture

On 20 October 2026, the European Commission adopted Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture (COM(2026) 701).

EATiP welcomes the adoption of this important vision document, noting the commitment that by 2040, EU aquaculture is to be “a strategic and fully integrated pillar of the EU’s sustainable food system” — and, crucially for EATiP and EATiP members, that research and innovation is named one of the five conditions for success, alongside generational renewal, access to finance, smart rules and access to space.

The Vision announces a dedicated aquaculture legislative instrument by the end of 2027, with simplified procedures for low-impact systems — and a series of R&I-driven actions: a Blue Bioeconomy Innovation Initiative (2027) to valorise side streams; a staff working document on nature-positive aquaculture (2027), exploring reward mechanisms such as nature credits; support for alternative feed ingredients and hatchery capacity; and specialised training in fish health, welfare and innovative practices.

Innovation also shapes the Vision’s approach to space and energy: multi-use models such as low-trophic aquaculture combined with offshore wind are to be integrated into maritime spatial planning by 2040, while the annexed Energy Transition Roadmap charts the way towards renewable energy, efficiency, lower-carbon feed and more low-trophic production.

With EATiP working on EU funded research projects in many of these areas, including the Mission Ocean OLAMUR, SEADEEP, AQUAPHOENIX and OCCAM projects, we welcome this long term commitment to continuing to promote key areas of marine multi use, circular bio-economy and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Aligning with the recently adopted strategies AgRI 2040 and Food 2040 (COM(2026) 453), the Vision also commits that the European Commission will work with and encourage EU Member States to work towards:

• promoting synergies between fisheries and aquaculture, thereby supporting innovation, diversified income sources and greater value creation, particularly through shared infrastructure, services, processing and markets;
• strengthening the synergies between aquaculture and agriculture and related territorial development to support a more circular EU food system, promote cross-sectoral diversification, and enhance the resilience of rural areas, islands and outermost regions;
• integrating aquaculture-specific measures in national climate adaptation plans, including adaptive spatial planning and licensing, environmental monitoring and the promotion of resilient and climate-adapted species and strains;
• enhancing environmental and climate performance, as well as resource efficiency, including by nature-positive and restorative aquaculture practices into their implementation of EU and national environmental and climate policies. The EC aims to publish a staff working document in 2027 on how to promote ecosystem and climate services of nature-positive aquaculture, including marine aquaculture. The EC will also continue exploring reward mechanisms such as nature credit schemes;
• increasing the strategic autonomy and resilience of aquaculture by supporting production of alternative feed ingredients as well as hatchery capacity;
• strengthening producer organisations and improving value chain integration, particularly for small-scale aquaculture producers.

Within this commitment, the Vision contributes to broader EC policy initiatives such as the European Ocean Pact, the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy, the EU strategy towards a climate target for 2040, the Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Bioeconomy Strategy, the strategic approach to research and innovation for competitive, resilient and sustainable agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food systems (AgRI 2040 and Food 2040), and the Competitiveness Compass.

EATiP and its members stand ready to contribute — connecting the Vision’s ambitions with the research and innovation capacity of the European aquaculture community.

Read the factsheet (PDF) ›
Read the Vision 2040 package ›
Energy transition roadmap for EU aquaculture ›