Prospective Analysis of the Aquaculture Sector in the EU. PART 1: Synthesis Report

This report is based on the outcome of the study on "Prospective analysis of the aquaculture sector in the EU", launched and coordinated by the JRC (IPTS) and carried out by the University of Stirling. The report consists of two parts: 1) "Prospective analysis of the aquaculture sector in the EU – Part 1: Synthesis report", and 2) "Prospective analysis of the aquaculture sector in the EU – Part 2: Characterisation of emerging aquaculture systems" This first report sets out the context for the future role of aquaculture in the EU, and the potential directions to be taken within the sector. It builds from materials reported in Part 2, and is structured by the outcomes of a review/expert panel meeting carried out in Sevilla, in November 2006 in which a process and system of synthesis was agreed. It follows a format in which we: • Project potential future demand for aquaculture-derived product, recognising domestic supply and international trade features, emerging consumer trends, and expected price positioning commensurate with sector production costs. • Develop further detail with respect to species, subsectors, systems, locations, and their interactions. • Set out issues and discussions on implications for future policy. • Develop conclusions. These projections and details were further developed through a process of discussion and comment with the expert panel during the period March-August 2007. The study was conducted between January 2006 and November 2007, the data collection taking place in the early stages followed by the analysis in the later stages