1. The myths and challenges for sustainable aquaculture
Some hard facts
Three common myths
Two challenges and limiting factors linked to them
CCB Proposals to go forward

2. Facts about aquaculture
Development and growth globally has not been sustainable..
Demand driven, its not about feeding the world
Aquaculture is not the most regulated sector there is (have a look as fisheries or agriculture..)
Public support via EMFF has not supported sustainable aquaculture in measureable way
We don’t even have a good def. of sustainable aquaculture or Best Available Technology
…but Courts are already interpreting what BAT is…(SE case using Weser ruling in closing operations)

3. Facts about aquaculture
CCB Review of use of public money via EMFF…
EMFF Article 6 (2): Fostering environmentally sustainable, resource- efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based aquaculture by pursuing the following specific objectives:
the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and the enhancement of ecosystems related to aquaculture…
the promotion of aquaculture having a high level of environmental protection…
We can hardly find any of this in national strategies…

4. “Growth in aquaculture provides jobs”
Myths about aquaculture
“Growth in aquaculture provides jobs”
-Well not really and certainly not in any large numbers..(from Eurostat)
Since : EU production 3,4 m € to 4,1m €
Baltic region, production :
-ca t
-jobs ca
-interesting example Sweden: 100% increase in production, yet same amount employed..

5. Myths about aquaculture
A growing demand from where and at what price? – niche fin fish
We can hardly compete with Asia, C. and S.America.
..compete with what we have
Growth as in new actors is not in interest of existing operators
Realistic growth rate perhaps 2-3% a year in the region?

6. “We can use compensation measures to offset nutrient loads”
Myths about aquaculture
“We can use compensation measures to offset nutrient loads”
Mussel farming in Baltic highly questionable:
At salt water levels around 7-8‰ grow 2,5 cm 30 months
About half nutrient content compared to western seas with ‰ (more water, less N)
Costs around 60 €/kg N and 900€/kg P
Baltic Blue Growth project goal 25t/ha, reached only 12 so far (7kg P and 100kg N/ha)
Load to Baltic/year t P, 1 milj. t N…

7. “We use only Baltic feed to make it nutrient neutral”
Myths about aquaculture
“We use only Baltic feed to make it nutrient neutral”
Feed more or less same past 5 years; open cage solutions favored. A “Baltic feed” does not exist..
Nutrient losses and loads will increase with increased production
Local impacts still a problem, highly depending on placement
Even risk of increasing anoxic areas is hardly acceptable in the Baltic Sea

8. Challenge: feed and fishing
New ingredients not available yet – operational 5-10 years time, year , expensive?
We are left with current feed ca 35-40% fish content (IFFO/FAO numbers)
Veg. content must also be
sustainable!
Current expansion
Plans means an
additional
tonnes
of wild fish (FAO outlook)

9. Challenge: feed and fishing
1/3 of world total catch is fishmeal/oil (IFFO/FAO)
High seas IUU fishery NOT under control
CFP demands fishing below MSY, MSFD GES:
Currently ca 39% stock are overfished in EU alone
Ca 45% of stocks, status unknown, no assessments
In relation to MSFD, 74% of stocks not as GES
Baltic pelagic stocks fully utilized ca t
Room for increased
production?

10. Challenge: disease, parasites, escapees
In open systems parasites and diseases a serious risk (VHS and other rhabdoviruses, BKD, Flavobacterosis, etc) and new parasites will come in, climate change..
Poor, if any control of imports of material (vertical transfer - born with the pathogen in bodies)
Treatment of wild fish is impossible
Escapees is a problem, nature finds ways..
-Proof of rainbow sustained pop. in Norway; Study from 2015 stated more than 130 confirmed or potential self-sustaining populations in EU

11. What to do then?
Almost all mentioned problems controllable in ”closed” systems! (- however feed remains to be solved!)
Aquaponics is growing (superiorfresh.com largest in the world)
Define a BAT concept and steer all financial support to such production only, always use the EIA tool
At the same time limit the use of public funding to not create a dependent sector

12. What to do then? Look at alternative species to farm
Set clear targets for the use of “new” or alternative feed and embed such targets in permits
-Creating a demand for alternatives is likely needed to push down prices
Help the industry by making start-up operations easier
Realize that the industry needs entrepreneurs and not “scientist”

13. Change perception and storytelling..
Oh yes, it is a farmed fish from the Merkel Farm around the block!
Is this fish sustainable?
Thank you for listening