ASEM-AQUACULTURE09

ASEM Aquaculture Platform

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This proposal builds on the outputs of the ASEM Aquaculture Platform, established in 2003 as an EU-Asia framework for dialogue, networking and continuing coordination for sustainable aquaculture development. From 2003-2006, 6 expert workshops targeted key topics (Disease & Health management, Biodiversity & Ecological impacts, Breeding & Domestication, Education, Food safety & Legislation, Food security) and yielded valuable recommendations on future directions in research, production and trade. With increasingly critical demands on aquaculture for food supply and food security, income and employment, the vulnerability of the natural resource issues involved, and the important gains to be realised through developing stronger scientific and economic partnerships between the two regions, the aim is to move more pro-actively into effective policy, into formulation of joint research goals, and into outcomes which contribute to Millennium Development and related goals. The project’s major aim is to reconcile ecosystem and economic system demands to consolidate concepts of sustainability in aquaculture development in both regions. Specific actions include: 1) validation of earlier recommendations; 2) translating priority recommendations into concrete actions; 3) facilitate industry interaction between the two regions; 4) build and exchange knowledge and its application. The common denominator of the actions is the concerted effort to initiate joint EU-Asia processes which have impact on research excellence, contributing realistically and effectively to good production practice, improved governance, fair trade, social equity and sustainability. In developing these, the ASEM Aquaculture Platform will strengthen opportunities for the EU aquaculture sector to derive value from its technological and structural assets, and develop valuable trade partnerships, using the driver of import product quality to improve product quality and value in both markets.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

In recent decades, aquaculture has grown from its humble beginnings as small-scale farming operations to become a major technology-based bio-industry. Although the main areas of production are located in Asia, research and technical development in current aquaculture technology is largely centred in Europe.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The 'ASEM Aquaculture Platform' (http://www.asemaquaculture.org/ (ASEM-AQUACULTURE09)) was established as a forum for dialogue on aquaculture research, policy, education and business. The aim was to reconcile Asian and European interests in aquaculture production and consumption.

A series of vital issues were defined to ensure successful cooperation, including a strategy for interacting with industry representatives. In addition, best management practices (BMPs) were established for small farmers seeking accreditation for their production process through group certification. Case studies were undertaken in India, Indonesia and Thailand to assess the effect of research clustering and to identify hurdles to adopting BMPs in shrimp farming.

The project sought to mitigate the environmental impact of aquaculture by building partnerships based on integrated multi-trophic aquaculture principles. Successful examples from China and Singapore were used to develop joint research initiatives with partner institutes in order to stimulate suitable innovation.

Scientific data from Asian and European partners were used as a basis for certification schemes and associated food safety legislation. A workshop was held that addressed the problems and solutions experienced by small-scale producers during implementation of food certification schemes.

Disease and health management plays a crucial role in successful aquaculture. Therefore, information was exchanged on common problems encountered with newly occurring diseases and potential solutions that will lead to the development of joint research plans.

Education and training opportunities for Asian and European aquaculture were facilitated by mapping exchanges between higher education establishments. Vulnerable stakeholder groups were supported by a workshop for regional experts. It provided a country-specific action plan for integrating gender into a programme that empowers the poor in fishing communities. A manual on gender analysis and mainstreaming was also produced.

An inventory of BMP projects in the Asia Pacific region was produced, which will support wider dissemination of BMPs and the cluster management concept. The inventory provides information regarding project titles, objectives, source of funds and year of implementation. Furthermore, project partners conducted presentations on BMPs and cluster management at meetings and workshops, including the Aquaculture Certification workshop held in Vienna, Austria.

Thanks to the work of ASEM-AQUACULTURE09, the ASEM Aquaculture Platform is recognised as the central focal point of Asian-European aquaculture collaborations. This concerted effort will result in major benefits for both regions, such as research excellence, good governance, fair trade, social equity and sustainability in aquaculture.