Grant Map EU

Aquaculture is identified by the EC as one of the Blue Growth sectors with the highest potential for sustainable jobs and growth, in Europe accounting for c. 20% of fish production and employing 70,000 people, mainly in SMEs or micro-enterprises. Current Common Fisheries Policy reform aims, i.a. to develop the full potential of EU aquaculture in line with the Europe 2020 objectives: sustainability, food security, growth and employment. Still, farming of aquatic organisms is linked to a number of challenges, including waste production. For this reason innovative circular economy solutions focused on turning waste into resources need application. Especially closed land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) found as promising solutions for the South Baltic region need to be further investigated and transferred. Basing on AquaLoop partners’ know-how and facilities, through pilots cases on aquaculture waste management, technology transfer to SMEs, in response to demonstration and education needs it is essential to showcase the circular economy loop, increase profits, boost production, sector and employability, in accordance to Green Deal, and Sustainable Development Goals. Still, seed money funding is needed to research state of play of the circular economy application into RAS solutions, and search for adequate solutions worldwide suitable for demonstration and regional development, through partners cross-border work, study trips, workshop organization, search for SMEs for cooperation, and regular project development. In the context of EU Circular Economy Plan the project has a potential to successfully serve the needs of the sustainable waste management by aquaculture farms, increase their innovation potential, and raise awareness of the added value products based on waste. It also aims at the development of the South Baltic Aquaculture Competence Centre planned as follow-up of the AquaVIP project cooperation.