Sustainable extensive and semi-intensive coastal aquaculture in Southern Europe

Power Point.Traditional extensive coastal and semi-intensive aquaculture systems in Southern Europe are facing difficulties, especially due to increased competition for coastal areas uses and market competition, due to low-price products from intensive aquaculture. The positive effects of extensive and semi-intensive aquaculture in coastal areas - including environmental protection and restoration in areas of particular ecological interest, employment opportunity and development in rural and coastal areas - have been clearly recognised within EU policy. The present papers examines the way and the impact of how to develop effective tools for maintenance of competitiveness, productivity, profitability and thus sustainability of extensive and semi-intensive aquaculture production in Southern Europe, while minimizing its environmental impacts and improving the quality and public image of its products. The presentation is based on case studies covering a wide variety of production systems and geographical locations (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece). Some technological improvements are also studied such as quality markers in order to be able to differentiate aquaculture products from extensive and semi-intensive systems from the ones produced in intensive systems. A socio-economic assessment of the production systems is produced and an assessment of potential non-market benefits and costs, including social and patrimonial aspects is discussed