1. Demonstrating and debating how European RTD can respond to policy needs

2. dissemination of European RTD
…since 1998
Original concept
RTD (Technical) Leaflets
Simple summary
results
relevance
application

4. four main objectives
Improve the flow of EU RTD results – showing relevance to policy development and application
source & summarise results in fisheries and aquaculture – show relevance to European policies
provide forums for exchange of views of stakeholders
identify research needs to support policy definition within the sectors

5. six partners www.profetpolicy.info
Federation of European Aquaculture Producers
European Aquaculture Society
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
Eurofish
European Assoc. of Fisheries Producers Organisations
AquaTT

6. Clear focus on policy www.profetpolicy.info European policy
market policy
research objectives
policy in aquaculture
policy in fisheries
Glossary of policy terms

7. nine trans-national workshops
presentation of policy - direction
presentation of research results
exchange of opinions
identify needs
make conclusions
formulate recommendations

8. nine workshops Aquaculture Fisheries coldwater marine
Bergen
Mediterranean marine
Athens
continental freshwater
Warsaw
southern freshwater
Treviso
Baltic Sea fisheries
Vilnius
N. Atlantic fisheries
Dublin
Mediterranean fisheries
Marseille
North Sea fisheries
Copenhagen
Atlantic fisheries & aquaculture
Vigo
Review achievements, conclusions, recommendations
Brussels

9. Participation – Specifics
70 participants per workshop (average)
10 countries represented/workshop (average)
National majority usual
2 Commission representatives
TRANSLATION – provided at 7/9 workshops
A definite requirement for stakeholder interest
Commission presence – VERY IMPORTANT!
Debate – stimulated by POLICY and interesting projects….that are applicable to the sector

10. Participation – Specifics
NGOs – on 4 occasions
Molluscs – with Vigo exception – absent
very little information and communication on project results from mollusc researchers/producers
Local Organisations/Government
Always responded for opening and welcome
Most local organisers found sponsorship
Post-event enthusiasm

11. Workshop structure Regional development – Role of research
Policy & Regulatory Framework
RTD needs related to Policy
RTD needs and sustainable development
Support for development – FP7 promoted
Review of Aquaculture Strategy
Future [research] needs
Debate often went into parallel discussions on how the business would develop (more aquaculture than fisheries)

12. Research – Presentations
More than 70 presentations on individual projects – by coordinator or national rep
Sometimes problematic for ‘finished’ projects
Some difficulties for scientists to adapt to a broader audience
From Nov 2007, EATIP (Aquaculture Technology Platform) presented in all Profet ‘aquaculture’
Vigo had 3 TP presentations (1 fish – 2 aq)

13. nine policy & thematic leaflet compilations
Aquaculture TLs
122 published on web
Sorted by policy relevance
Fisheries TLs
95 published on web
Sorted by relevance to CFP
24 Policy documents written - prepared on thematic basis
TL selections agreed prior to each workshop – prepared as PDF – printing +/-2 days – sent by courier to local organiser

14. nine policy & thematic leaflet compilations

15. Achievements
The interpretation and understanding of sustainability as a guiding principle for both aquaculture and fisheries
Obtained an improved understanding of European legislation, hence the policies that drive legislation
Improving communication and finding the appropriate means to develop this, in real time, to policy-makers, stakeholders and the public
Profet Policy focused initially on dissemination issues for RTD, provided a platform for communication and debate on strategic issues of importance to fisheries and aquaculture
Conclusions on

16. Lessons learnt– Aquaculture
Advance publicity & regional support essential to assure good attendance
Local associations essential for organisation
Need centralised support for such European projects
Technical and managerial personnel attend
Communications on ‘finished’ projects difficult to organise
Research on operational improvements requested
Vs. Welfare, impacts…
i.e. more Collaborative projects

17. Dissemination actions – Fisheries
Challenge to reach stakeholders
RACs were efficient partners
Professional fishing sector often present
Environmental NGO’s not strongly represented
Challenge to find researchers that can communicate effectively
Research is seen as remote from sector’s priorities

18. Dissemination actions – Fisheries
Links between research and fishing sector often conflictual (more than in aquaculture)
Research associated with
stock assessment and hence reduction of fishing possibilities
Scrutiny and hence control
Low relevance for answering industry needs
But interest from sector increases as
Sector is under increasing pressure
Economic (oil prices, fish prices…)
Social (attractiveness of activities)
Environmental (impact of fishing activities)

19. Identification of Needs – Fisheries
Collaborative/cooperative research is seen as crucial
Improve the trust between research and stakeholders
More research is needed:
On socio-economic issues that the sector is facing
Topics where private sector can see benefits from
Away from just biological aspects

20. Lessons learnt – Fisheries
Need for more coordination on the fisheries level
Not enough coherence in the approaches
Need for research needs assesments to be fed into broader reflection process
Diversity in the fisheries sector is higher than in aquaculture
Interest for research is lower as most research is seen by the sector as « unproductive »

21. Common Recommendations
Improve communication at all levels
Explain why research is done and how it relates to
Policy (and which one!)
Improvement in operations
Effects on the sector
Get the best speakers (where possible)
Facilitate debate – otherwise a ‘quiet’ audience
Demonstrate how recommendations can be translated into actions

22. Supporting governance and multi-stakeholder participation
in aquaculture research and innovation
Activity call:
Sustainable Production and management of biological resources from land, forest and aquatic environments

23. Project proposal
Prepared by FEAP, EAS and AQUATT for January 2009 call
Extension of PROFET POLICY project partners (aquaculture only)
Submitted by EATIP asbl (sole participant/legal entity)
Start date – 1 February 2010

24. Concept & Objectives (1)
Create an operational framework for dialogue, between
The aquaculture industry (value chain),
The research community and
The policy makers
based on best governance practices
Exploit the potential for innovation and technological development in the European aquaculture value chain

25. Concept & Objectives (2)
Actively promote the exploitation, dissemination and communication of Community aquaculture RTD
Improve how RTD & innovation knowledge is
managed,
disseminated and
transferred

26. Multi-Stakeholder Workshops
4 Key events - covering
Coldwater aquaculture - Northern
Inland freshwater aquaculture – Central
Mediterranean & southern aquaculture
Shellfish aquaculture
1.5-2 day workshops produce
Plan of Action for the Area covered
Recommendations for realisation

27. Implementation action plan
Completion-recommendations based on evaluation of
High ranking issues
Fundamental or Applied Research
Academic or Industrial
Collective/Cooperative
Available funding mechanisms
Public
Private/industry