A European collaboration
Aquabalance is a European project that brings together stakeholders from industry, research and technology. The goal is to contribute to an aquaculture industry that better balances economic growth with respect to the environment, fish welfare and society.
A growing industry
The aquaculture industry has experienced significant growth in recent decades, but at the same time faces challenges related to environmental impact, fish health and social acceptance. Aquabalance is therefore working systematically to understand what drives – and what hinders – the development of a more sustainable aquaculture industry in different European regions.
Mapping the situation in Europe
To explore innovative solutions and sustainable business models, the project maps the current situation in the European aquaculture industry.
“We have developed aquaculture profiles for Norway, Denmark, Italy and Ireland, and mapped three regional case studies in each country. In addition, we have identified relevant technological alternatives and created a database of innovative producers and suppliers,” says project manager Natalia Mæhle.
The results are published here:
Looking at technology and future directions
The project also analyses ongoing technological and industrial changes, as well as how different developments may shape the industry going forward. An important focus is to shed light on the trade-offs between economic, environmental and social considerations, and the role of policy and regulation.
Consumer expectations
As part of the work, a consumer survey has been conducted in the four partner countries.
“We wanted to understand consumers' attitudes towards the aquaculture industry and what they expect when it comes to sustainability. The results are now being analyzed,” explains Mæhle.
Policy and regulation
Aquabalance has also developed a framework for "policy mix", which analyzes existing regulations and instruments in Norway, Ireland, Italy and Denmark.
– Based on this work, we organized a seminar during One Ocean Week in Bergen, where we asked the question: Are we on our way to a new standard in the salmon farming industry?
The way forward
So far, the project has carried out a number of activities, including workshops, lectures and collaboration across European partners.
The work provides increased understanding of how the interaction between production, technology and market affects both operations and sustainability – and points to possible paths forward for a more balanced development of the aquaculture industry.
NCE Seafood is participating in the project to ensure close links to industry stakeholders and to help ensure that the knowledge developed is relevant and applicable to the industry.
