Workshop on the Greater North Sea Ecoregion Aquaculture Overview (WKGNSAO)

Summary

The Greater North Sea Ecoregion has a diverse, productive, and expanding marine aquaculture sector. Practices differ by cultured taxa and jurisdiction and range from small-scale family businesses using traditional on-growing methods to large enterprises increasingly using innovative growing techniques. Shellfish farming has a long tradition and high cultural value in several areas of the ecoregion and remains the most widespread form of marine aquaculture, accounting for about a quarter of total production volume. Finfish culture dominates production (about three quarters) and accounts for the increase in production over the past three decades. Crustacean, seaweed, and microalgae cultivation sectors are emerging but remain minor. The ecoregion is characterized by strong regulatory frameworks for aquaculture. Regulatory implementation and management structures differ among countries and jurisdictions, reflecting variation in production characteristics, historical background, sector organization, and ecosystem considerations. The focus on environmental sustainability and food safety in the ecoregion sets high industry standards, with complex administrative and authorization procedures that can pose challenges to aquaculture expansion. Aquaculture plays an important role in supporting coastal economies and employment and as a food supplier. The social context for aquaculture is characterized by a high standard of living and labour costs along with a declining workforce. Aquaculture can result in negative environmental impacts, such as nutrient enrichment, habitat degradation, and pollution. It can also affect wild species. Environmental benefits of aquaculture can include local improvements in water quality and biodiversity enhancement through habitat formation. Environmental protection functions both as a boundary and a driver for aquaculture development and socio-economic progress in the ecoregion. Research and innovation are key institutional drivers, with significant investments from both public and private sectors to develop new technologies and practices that enhance the sustainability and productivity of aquaculture. Competition for space among maritime sectors is high in the ecoregion; this presents an obstacle for the development of coastal and marine aquaculture, forcing aquaculture enterprises to innovate. Co-use areas (e.g. aquaculture and offshore renewable energy) and pairing of sectors (e.g. aquaculture and tourism) are being established and are emerging as opportunities for the efficient use of marine spaces and fostering synergies among sectors. Future aquaculture developments need to consider continued diversification of the industry, the anticipated impacts of climate change, and the potential for aquaculture to contribute to nature conservation and restoration.