AquaIMPACT policy briefs
The EU’s aquaculture sector is a source of healthy food, fundamental to food security, and a major contributor to the globally increasing seafood consumption. Aquaculture faces challenges in the form of imported seafood products and global disturbances. The industry must also address its environmental impacts as well as animal health and welfare.
Precision breeding for more resilient and green aquaculture in the EU
The application of selective breeding and genomics has been central to bolstering the resilience of aquaculture. This policy brief presents that the revolution within the sequencing and genotyping industry has unveiled unprecedented opportunities for research, development, and innovation (RDI) to usher in a new era of advanced precision breeding capable of addressing the challenges of aquaculture. The combination of computational genetics, bioinformatics and genotyping is needed to develop next generation utilization of genomics data across aquaculture species in the EU for both simple low-cost breeding as well as for high-tech breeding companies, to enhance the sustainability and resilience of EU aquaculture, and to facilitate the transition to greener production methods.
AquaIMPACT policy brief on integrating land- and sea-based aquaculture for more resilient and green aquaculture in the EU
This policy brief suggests priority topics to integrate open-water and land-based aquaculture. Development of land-based aquaculture may help building EU aquaculture sector that is more competitive, resilient and more environmentally friendly. Yet, major challenges still remain. These include issues in profitability, fish performance, fish quality, early maturation, off-flavouring, implementation of early-phase technology, high energy use, lack of trained personnel and consumer perception. The key topics to develop include: integrated production systems, breeding and genomics, feeds, animal welfare and resource efficiency, and communication to increase awareness.