Issuu

AUGUST 2026/4 August 4 / 2026 Eurofish Magazine

Denmark

SKAGEN SALMON RELIES ON QUALITY AND ITS Eurofish International Organisation

ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS

FISHEUTRUST, a project to build trust in seafood supply chains, concludes

AN INTERVIEW with Ebubekir Gizligider, Türkiye’s Vice Minister for Agriculture and Forestry

GUEST PAGES: Federico Pinza, President of AMA, on boosting resilience in Italian bivalve farming

www.euroﬁsh.dk 01_Cover 4p.indd 1

PUBLISHED BY

29/06/26 3:57 PM

Get the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Europe delivered straight to your inbox

IMPRINT Publisher

Eurofish International Organisation H.C. Andersens Boulevard 44-46 DK-1553 Copenhagen V Denmark Tel.: +45 333 777 55, info@eurofish.dk eurofish.dk

Managing editor

Marco Frederiksen

Editorial ofﬁces

Behnan Thomas (bt) H.C. Andersens Boulevard 44-46 DK-1553 Copenhagen V Denmark Tel.: +45 333 777 64 behnan@euroﬁsh.dk Dr. Manfred Klinkhardt (mk) Redaktionsbüro Delbrück Franz-Stock-Straße 23 D-33129 Delbrück Germany Tel.: + 49 5250 933416 manfred.klinkhardt@web.de

Advertising

Mads Tj rby FRONTMEDIA Ny Banegårdsgade 55 8000 Aarhus C Denmark Mob.: +45 2750 7080 Tel.: +45 4822 4450 mads@frontmedia.dk

for free.

Frequency

6 issues per year

Circulation

2500 copies

Subscription details

Price: EUR 100,– To subscribe send an email to info@euroﬁsh.dk

18-20 August 2026 Nor-Fishing Trondheim, Norway Tel.: + 47 7356 8640 post@nor-fishing.no https://nor-fishing.no/en/

ISSN 1868-5943

24-26 September 2026 Future Fish Eurasia İzmir, Türkiye Tel.: +90 212 347 10 54 info@eurasiafairs.com www.eurasiafairs.com

1-3 September 2026 Global Shrimp Forum Utrecht, Netherlands willem@shrimpinsights.com https://www.shrimp-forum.com/

2-4 September 2026 Seafood Expo Asia Singapore sales-asia@seafoodexpo.com https://www.seafoodexpo.com/ asia/

9-11 September 2026 Polfish* Gdańsk, Poland Tel.: +48 724 909 039 katarzyna.szkolnik @amberexpo.pl www.polfishtargi.pl

Unless otherwise stated, the copyright for articles in this magazine is vested in the publisher. Articles may not be reproduced without written permission from the copyright holders. An electronic copy is available on request to adverts@euroﬁsh.dk

Eurofish.dk/sign-up

diary dates

29 September-1 October Aquaculture Europe 2026* Ljubljana, Slovenia eas@aquaeas.eu www.aquaeas.org

6-8 October 2026 Conxemar Vigo 2026* Vigo, Spain Tel.: +34 986 433 351 www.conxemar.com

4-6 November 2026 Busan International Seafood & Fisheries EXPO Busan, South Korea Tel : +82-51-740-7518 bisfe@bexco.co.kr https://www.bisfe.com/eng/

14-16 September 2026 Tuna 2026 Bangkok, Thailand info@infofish.org https://tuna.infofish.org/

Order your free trial info@eurofish.dk Read the Eurofish Magazine online at www.eurofish.dk

22-24 September 2026 Icefish* Kópavogur, Iceland Tel.: +44 1329 825 335 press@icefish.is www.icefish.is

8-11 December 2026 AlgaEurope 2026* Valletta, Malta Tel.: +31 85 401 73 97 info@dlg-benelux.com www.algaeurope.org

* Eurofish will be attending

euroﬁsh.dk

01_Cover 4p.indd 2

29/06/26 3:57 PM

in this issue SELECTED ARTICLES

PRODUCING SALMON ON LAND HAS MANY ADVANTAGES Skagen Salmon farms salmon in a landbased RAS in northern Denmark, where it produces about 3,000 tonnes annually. By recirculating treated seawater, collecting waste for biogas, avoiding escapes, and the use of antibiotics, the operation minimises its impact on the environment. CEO Jacob Veiss argues that the production model must be both environmentally and financially sustainable. The company’s market is premium customers attracted by the high quality and ASC certification of the fish. A challenge is the use of energy which is currently only partially covered by renewable sources. Once the production system is mature and the market for its PAGE fish is stable, the company will rely on replicating the system to expand output.

Irish aquaculture is decarbonising by moving gradually from fossil fuel dependence towards energy efficiency and renewable power. The sector produced almost 38,500 tonnes in 2024, worth over €200 million, but must reduce emissions in line with Irish and EU climate targets. Energy is needed for feeding, pumping, aeration, monitoring, processing, and transport. Policy support, EMFAF funding, BIM tools, and innovation projects such as WEC4FISH are encouraging renewable, hybrid, and digital solutions. Progress is strongest in efficiency improvements, while several factors, including high upfront costs, remote sites, and immature PAGE technologies, still slow decarbonisation across the sector.

The review of the 2014 Common Fisheries Policy reform finds some clear signs of progress but also areas where improvements are needed. Overfishing has declined, and the share of sustainably fished stocks rose from 50% in 2014 to 63% in 2022, but some stocks still face increasing fishing pressure. The landing obligation has not ended discards, fleet imbalance persists, vessels are ageing, and profitability is far below expectations, partly because of energy costs. Aquaculture remains profitable but has barely grown in volume. Falling EU landings, import dependence, climate pressures, and invasive PAGE species, show that further reform is urgently needed now.

Climate neutrality for EU aquaculture by 2050 is possible but only through combined action across the value chain. A CINEA study maps emissions from cages, ponds, raceways, recirculating systems, and non-fed production, using life cycle assessment data for 2005– 2024. Feed, energy, transport, and vessel operations are key sources of emissions. The scenarios show that no single measure is enough: alternative feeds, renewable energy, efficiency, digitalisation, and low-impact systems must advance together. Costs vary widely, averaging €220 per tonne of CO2 equivalent avoided to 2050. Even ambitious reductions leave residual emissions, so PAGE credible offsetting and coordinated policy support remain necessary across the sector too.

Whaling started as small, coastal hunts but evolved into industrial operations that severely depleted whale stocks, especially after steam power, explosive harpoons, and factory ships expanded capacity. The International Whaling Commission, the 1982 commercial whaling moratorium, and exceptions for aboriginal subsistence, research permits, and national objections shaped the industry in the mid twentieth century. Today, commercial whaling is limited mainly to Norway, Iceland, and Japan, with whale meat remaining a niche product sometimes diverted to pet food. Whale watching, welfare concerns, market weakness, and wider PAGE environmental threats are increasingly shaping whale conservation efforts.

Interzoo 2026 showed that fish has growing value in the pet industry, not only in aquariums, but as a premium ingredient in dog and cat nutrition. Seafood processors can redirect skins, heads, frames, trimmings, oils, hydrolysates, and small pelagics into higher-value products rather than low-value by-products. Fish suits market trends towards single-protein, natural, functional, and sustainable pet foods, including treats, chews, supplements, and omega-rich toppers. European and US pet spending shows strong purchasing power. However, processors must meet safety and traceability requirements, as pet owners increasingly expect PAGE human-food standards. Margins can be attractive, but discipline is essential.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

02_In_This_Issue.indd 3

29/06/26 4:08 PM

table of contents BIOHUTS REDUCE 24 MORTALITY AMONG YOUNG FISH NEWS 6

International News

PROJECTS 11

IRELAND

FishEUTrust: building confidence in Europe’s seafood supply chains

EVENTS 15

SPAIN

Istanbul conference highlights technology and value-addition

TÜRKIYE 21

Conxemar—where blue business happens

Technology plays an ever-larger role in aquaculture

03_TOC.indd 4

Sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience define success

DENMARK 24

Biohuts reduce mortality among young fish

Danish fish auctions battle red tape

Skagen Salmon makes a case for sustainable fish farming

An island restaurant menu to inspire European seafood policy

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

29/06/26 4:11 PM

table of contents AQUACULTURE 46

Pathways to climate neutrality in EU aquaculture

Innovative design used to farm greater amberjack in RAS

NORWAY DENMARK

ESTONIA LATVIA LITHUANIA

POLAND HUNGARY

ROMANIA

CROATIA

ITALY ALBANIA

TÜRKIYE

FISHERIES 34

IRELAND 41

The direction is right, but the goal is still far away

Whales face various environmental pressures

PROCESSING 52

Fish finds a high-value outlet in the pet industry

TECHNOLOGY 54 Residual materials become raw materials

GUEST PAGE 56

Italian shellfish farmers diversify income streams

Ireland’s aquaculture sector is decarbonising

Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries research at the University of Galway

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

03_TOC.indd 5

29/06/26 4:11 PM

news ©FAO-GFCM_Carlos Di ́az Martin

FAO

Ten years of the PSMA in effect Ten years after the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) entered into force, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is marking major progress against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The PSMA, the first legally binding international agreement specifically targeting IUU fishing, has made it significantly harder for illegally caught fish to enter markets. A key milestone this year involves two Global Environment Facility- funded projects, which equipped advanced vessel monitoring system (VMS) transponders to most of

the Turkish industrial fleet, which consists of over 850 vessels and accounts for the highest capture production in the GFCM area of application. Together with the new Marmara Fisheries Control Centre in Yalova, they strengthen regional monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) capacity in the region and allow for real-time tracking and automated alerts for restricted-area violations. Montenegro and Albania will deploy similar VMS technology on small-scale fleets later this year, while inspectors trained across Malta, Spain and Türkiye

Fishing pressure in the region has dropped roughly 50% since 2013, with overexploited stocks at record lows.

work toward harmonized methods for assessing IUU activity. Albania, Georgia and Ukraine have launched national action plans against IUU fishing, with Türkiye’s plan to follow soon.

ITALY

New joint guidance on monitoring algal toxins in bivalve molluscs FAO, IOC-UNESCO and the IAEA have published new joint guidance on monitoring algal toxins in bivalve molluscs, covering harmful algal bloom surveillance and management of harvesting and production areas. Released in Rome, the document aims to help competent authorities, laboratories and food safety bodies build monitoring programmes tailored to each production area’s risk profile. The guidance arrives amid rapid growth in the bivalve sector, where global production rose 49% between 2011 and 2023, while international trade increased by around 41% over the same period. The Mediterranean, where mussels, clams and oysters underpin both local economies and export chains, is

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

i al e oll scs are ﬁlter feeders, which akes the impacts caused by human activity and algae blooms

highlighted as particularly affected by harmful algal blooms linked to ocean warming, eutrophication and local oceanographic shifts. The document points out that toxic algae don’t always provide reliable early warning, as bivalves can exceed legal toxin limits even when cell counts are low. The guidance therefore recommends combining water-based microalgae monitoring with toxin

sensiti e to en iron

ental

testing in shellfish flesh, alongside fixed sampling points, local risk profiling, and clear closure/reopening protocols. Areas closed for excessive toxin levels should reopen only after consecutive clean results at least 48 hours apart. The document reinforces operators’ responsibility for product safety, emphasising traceability and rapid communication, especially for shellfish destined for international markets with strict compliance requirements.

news SLOVENIA

Ljubljana to host 2026 Aquaculture Europe conference Under the theme “Aquaculture in global change”, the conference plenary sessions will consider how food systems, including aquaculture, are being challenged by the effects of global warming. These pressures affect all forms of aquaculture, in inland waters and coastal marine areas, with small and medium-sized operators especially exposed, as they may lack the financial and operational capacity to adopt adaptation and mitigation measures. These developments may also have positive spillover effects if they, for example, create incentives to diversify into the production of new species, or to combine species whose characteristics can help mitigate these climate effects. Further opportunities exist in establishing a clear, transparent credit system for carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services provided by aquatic animal groups in freshwater and coastal habitats. AE2026 will therefore focus on adaptation to climate impacts, the latest research into species’ adaptive capacity, and the health, welfare, nutrition, and breeding factors that support this. Although Slovenia has modest

he 2026 ac lt re rope conference will e held in l ana, a cit that has ch to offer in ter s of architect ral ea t and a enities for isitors

aquaculture production, it has plans to develop existing and new production methods and species. Its location in central/southern Europe, bordering Italy, Croatia, Hungary, and Austria, gives the event a regional focus for both inland and marine aquaculture. The AE2026 parallel sessions will address the full range of European aquaculture scientific disciplines and species and will include oral and poster presentations. Special events will be organised for students attending AE2026 to support networking and the exchange of ideas. These will include a student workshop and a social reception for participating students. Students receive the full

registration package, including the student reception. EAS membership is free for students. To qualify for the student rate and EAS membership, a copy of your student ID is required. The conference starts on Monday, September 28th, but to take part in the AE2026 Tours or in the Climate Action Workshop particcipants are recommended to arrive the day before. The arrival city could be Ljubljana or also Venice which is a 2.5hour drive away. A selection of hotels with special rates for conference participants is available here https://aquaeas. org/_pdf/AE2026_HotelInformation.pdf. For more information about the conference, visit the website https://www. aquaeas.org/Meeting/AE2026

BALTIC SEA

Herring stocks in the western Baltic Sea may improve A cold winter is fuelling cautious optimism for herring stocks in the western Baltic Sea. This year’s Rügen herring larval survey, now in its 35th year, currently shows high spawning activity but very few larvae so far. Unlike the mild winters of the past decade, this

year the Greifswald Bodden stayed frozen for weeks, with water temperatures below four degrees Celsius until late March. This presented conditions resembling those of 30 years ago, raising hopes of a strong year class and faster stock recovery after years of

reduced productivity linked to warmer winters. The survey began on 1 April, with researchers sampling 36 stations weekly over 16 weeks using bongo nets, counting herring larvae to calculate a recruitment index that feeds into ICES stock assessments.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

news FEAP

Overview report on farmed fish welfare faces criticism by FEAP

Member States call for EU-wide cormorant management strategy

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) has welcomed a European Commission (DG SANTE) overview report on farmed fish welfare, while warning that its main conclusions overlook central scientific and operational realities of the sector. FEAP says welfare needs vary widely by species, production system and life stage, with juveniles, portion sized fish and large fish facing very different requirements and notes the report does not reflect how these differences affect its conclusions. It also points to major scientific gaps, particularly around stunning technologies, where EEG studies show that species respond differently and that electric stunning is not universally effective. The federation highlights that fish slaughter in most EU countries happens on farm or aboard small vessels rather than in dedicated slaughterhouses, limiting which technologies are feasible for small and micro enterprises. It also says the report wrongly labels traditional brackish water pond systems in Italy, Greece and Spain as “marine pond systems,” when “coastal lagoon” is more accurate, and relies heavily on NGO studies while overlooking Eurobarometer data on public attitudes. Secretary General Javier Ojeda said legislation ignoring farm level realities would not improve welfare but could push production outside the EU, where standards may be lower, calling instead for reliable documentation measures before binding requirements.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

At the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 26 May 2026, Czechia, backed by Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Slovakia, called for work to begin without delay on a European Management Plan for the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), citing its growing impact on inland fisheries, aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture. The initiative aims to replace fragmented national responses to this mobile, transboundary species with a common framework based on scientific evidence, harmonised population monitoring, damage assessment and cross-country cooperation. For aquaculture, predation can cause

biomass losses, fish injuries, stress and added costs for nets and deterrents, particularly affecting Mediterranean systems such as coastal lagoons, fish valleys, wetlands and extensive ponds, where fish are more exposed. The great cormorant is not listed in Annex II of the Birds Directive, so it cannot be hunted as an ordinary game species, though derogations allowing action against serious damage are applied unevenly across the EU. Pressure is also building to revisit its legal status. This call reflects the growing importance of local, emergency measures toward shared governance, balancing biodiversity protection with aquaculture’s economic sustainability.

Along with their legal protection, cormorants do not have to worry about predation d e to the decline of nat ral predators

news DLG Markets Benelux

Seaweed sector showed how it might redeem its promise at Seagriculture EU 2026

The audience at Seagriculture EU 2026 learned how seaweed and algae could contribute to mitigating challenges related to climate change and sustainability once production and market issues were resolved.

Seagriculture EU 2026 brought together 229 participants from 28 countries in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 16 to 18 June, confirming the event’s role as one of Europe’s key meeting points for the seaweed and algae sector. Held under the theme The European seaweed industry in transition: survival, scale and real impact, the conference reflected a sector that is increasingly focused on delivering on its potential. The event gathered seaweed producers, researchers, investors, policymakers, technology providers, and innovators from across the blue economy. Over three days, participants discussed how the European seaweed sector can move from promise to practice in a market shaped by climate pressures, changing regulation, and high production costs. They also

witnessed ways to realise seaweed’s potential during the site visit hosted by Nordic SeaFarm.

Macro- and microalgae are part of the solution—not a silver bullet

Welcome addresses were delivered by Prof. Katharina Riehn, Vice President at DLG; Margareta Broang, Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Gothenburg; Renée Bengtsson, President of Region Västra Götaland; and Christer Olausson, CEO of Nordic SeaFarm. A central message running through the conference was that seaweed and algae should not be presented as a universal remedy for today’s environmental and economic challenges, but that they can contribute meaningfully to managing several urgent issues,

including climate change, and the transition towards more sustainable materials and food systems. Many presentations explored where algae-based solutions can realistically add value, and what must be done to bring them to market. In his keynote presentation, Robert Carleke, Innovation Ventures Manager at Inter IKEA Group, outlined how IKEA is exploring seaweed-based materials and their possible applications “from ocean to home.” The example illustrated the increasing interest from large companies in bio-based alternatives but also underlined that seaweed-based products must compete with traditional ones on performance, reliability, cost, and security of supply. While technical challenges such as cultivation systems and processing Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

news efficiency remain important, speakers also pointed to barriers such as regulation, financing, and market access. For many companies, the difficulty is not only to produce algae biomass or develop an interesting application, but to produce at scale or to connect with buyers.

Presenting setbacks helps the sector to learn

The relatively small size of the European algae sector also affects how companies position themselves. Several discussions suggested that algae producers are not primarily competing with each other at this stage. Instead, they are competing with other types of solutions already available. The challenge, then, is to demonstrate why an algae-based product offers an advantage. Speakers also addressed many practical issues such as how to define a market, how to avoid overclaiming, how to build trust with customers, and how to secure finance. One session, Epic fails and honest tales: Mistakes that

made us, encouraged speakers to share lessons from setbacks in research and business development. Delegates heard how projects could be delayed by high harvesting and processing costs or regulatory uncertainty among other reasons. By discussing failure openly, the session helped to define what the sector needs to grow. The Seaweed Elevator Pitches also returned, giving researchers, start-ups, and industry professionals the opportunity to present innovative projects and ideas in five-minute formats. The pitches covered areas including food safety, processing technologies, biodiversity solutions, and blue biorefinery development. The event also featured a trade show with a record 19 exhibitors presenting technologies, cultivation systems, processing solutions, and services for the seaweed industry. More than 50 poster presentations showcased scientific research and industry projects, marking it the largest poster contribution in the history of Seagriculture EU.

Site visit combines theory with practice

The excursion to Nordic SeaFarm included a boat visit to the company’s seaweed cultivation site in the Grebbestad archipelago and a tour of the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, where Nordic SeaFarm was founded. Experts from the University of Gothenburg’s Department of Marine Sciences presented developments in seaweed research linking them with commercial cultivation and practical field experience. Concluding the event, Kuno Jacobs, Managing Director at DLG Markets Benelux, organiser of Seagriculture EU 2026, said that the European seaweed industry continued to grow and mature. He highlighted the importance of stakeholders openly sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and exploring opportunities for collaboration and growth. Algae may not solve every problem, but they can form part of a wider portfolio of solutions for sustainability and the blue economy. The next edition, Seagriculture EU 2027, will take place in Ostend, Belgium, from 15 to 17 June 2027.

GREECE

Genetics present a profitable investment in aquaculture A new study on gilthead seabream offers some of the strongest long term evidence yet that genetic improvement remains one of the most profitable investments in Mediterranean aquaculture, showing a 76 percent increase in harvest weight over two decades without compromising genetic diversity. The research, based on Avramar’s breeding programme in Greece in collaboration with Benchmark Genetics, analysed data from 2002 to 2023 covering nearly 124,000 fish from 1,843 families. It found a cumulative genetic gain of 248 grams in harvest weight, equal to an average annual improvement of 3.6 percent, or about 15 percent per generation, with progress remaining consistent across more than twenty years.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

Crucially, larger harvest weights were achieved alongside gradually declining harvest age, meaning fish reach market size faster. Researchers estimate the accumulated genetic progress could cut time to commercial size by around two months, reducing biological risk exposure and improving capital turnover. Genetic diversity was preserved throughout: heritability for harvest weight stood at 0.35, indicating room for further gains, while accumulated inbreeding reached only 1.3 percent by 2023, with inbreeding increasing just 0.39 percent per generation thanks to careful mating management. The authors say faster

ilthead sea rea is one of the ost signiﬁcant ﬁsh species for the editerranean and has een the s ect of intensi e research for decades

growth also lowers the environmental footprint per kilogram produced and identify genomic selection as the next step to accelerate improvements in traits like disease resistance and survival.

projects

FishEUTrust: building confidence in Europe’s seafood supply chains

FishEUTrust partners at a meeting in November 2024 at IPMA in sunny Olhao, Portugal.

As the FishEUTrust project comes to an end, it leaves behind a timely contribution to one of the seafood sector’s most important challenges: how to strengthen consumer confidence in fish and seafood by making quality, safety, sustainability, and origin more visible and verifiable.

uropean fish farming and seafood production are already associated with high product standards, but the sector still faces a trust gap. Consumers increasingly want to know

where their food comes from, how it was produced, whether it is safe, and whether the information on labels can be trusted. At the same time, seafood supply chains are complex, often involving several actors between

producer and consumer. This can make it difficult to communicate reliable information in a way that is useful for both businesses and the public. FishEUTrust was developed to address this gap.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

05_PROJECTS_PRJ.indd 11

27/06/26 1:32 PM

projects Funded under Horizon Europe’s Farm to Fork mission area, the project brought together 22 partners from 14 countries, including research organisations, technology developers, industry representatives, and communication specialists. Its purpose was not only to develop individual tools, but to connect them into a broader system that can support transparent, traceable, and trusted European seafood supply chains.

From technology to trust One of the main innovations of FishEUTrust is its integrated approach. Rather than treating traceability, food safety, sustainability, consumer behaviour, and business models as separate issues, the project has worked across these areas at the same time. Trust in seafood depends on whether the information generated by technology is credible and useful to companies, regulators, and consumers. The project combined advanced scientific methods with digital tools and practical demonstration activities. These included sensors for monitoring product quality and safety, genomic and isotopic techniques for verifying authenticity and origin, among others. Together, these innovations are intended to make seafood supply chains more transparent from production and processing through to distribution and consumption. The FishEUTrust digital platform is a modular system designed to support seafood traceability, safety monitoring, nutrition information, and sustainability assessment across the entire value chain. By integrating batch-level lifecycle tracking with data from advanced biosensors, microbiome and isotopic analyses, and aquaculture monitoring systems, the platform enables products to be followed even when they are transformed, split, or merged. The platform was integrated with commercial aquaculture production monitoring solutions, including OxyGuard Cobália, to demonstrate

Examples of FishEUTrust developed sensors for strengthening risk-based controls. Left, sensor for detection of pathogenic bacteria or antibiotics enabled through a FishEUTrust developed mobile app. Middle, a sensor kit for detection of marine toxins also enabled through a FishEUTrust developed mobile app. Right, developed sensor based on an electrochemical chemotransistor, which is used for anal sis of ﬁsh freshness

interoperability with existing industry systems. Its flexible architecture accommodates stakeholders with different levels of digital maturity, while ensuring reliable data management and information exchange. In addition to traceability and safety information, the platform provides nutritional data and sustainability indicators, supporting more informed decision-making. Validated in five FishEUTrust Living Labs across Europe, the platform demonstrates how integrated digital technologies can enhance seafood authenticity, safety, and sustainability while ensuring compliance with emerging EU traceability and food policy requirements.

correct handling are essential, this kind of real-time or near-real-time information can help companies identify risks earlier and respond more effectively. FishEUTrust has explored the use of biosensors for detecting biotoxins, antibiotics, and pathogens in seafood products, alongside water-quality sensors. These technologies are relevant both for fish farm management and for monitoring conditions during storage and transport. By connecting such measurements to digital systems, the project shows how quality and safety data can become part of a broader traceability record rather than remaining isolated technical information.

Sensors and monitoring Genomics, authenticity, and product passports systems The development of smart control systems has been one of the most visible areas of innovation in FishEUTrust. Sensors and monitoring tools can provide rapid information on conditions that affect seafood quality and safety, including temperature, water quality, freshness, and the possible presence of contaminants or pathogens. In seafood supply chains, where freshness and

Another important result of FishEUTrust is its work on tools to verify seafood authenticity. Misdescription of species, origin, or production method can damage consumer trust and undermine legitimate operators. To address this, the project has included methods that can help confirm whether a product is what it claims to be and whether the information attached to it is scientifically supported.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

05_PROJECTS_PRJ.indd 12

27/06/26 1:32 PM

projects Consumer engagement and behavioural change

The purpose, outputs, and impacts of the FishEUTrust Living Labs are presented in the infographic.

The integration of these tools with product passports is especially significant. A product passport can act as a digital record containing key information about a seafood product, including origin and handling. When linked to traceability systems product passports can make information more accessible and more reliable throughout the value chain. For consumers, this could mean clearer and more trustworthy information at the point of sale. For businesses, it can support brand value, market access, and compliance. For regulators and policymakers, it can provide a stronger evidence base for monitoring supply chains and supporting sustainable production.

and validate solutions with stakeholders to ensure they reflect real user needs. The Living Labs enabled the project to study short food supply chains, underused species, cultural and culinary heritage, and consumer engagement activities. They also provided opportunities to examine how new tools might fit into existing business practices.

The project also recognised that trust depends not only on the availability of information but on how effectively that information is communicated. FishEUTrust therefore developed and tested a range of consumer-oriented communication and engagement approaches designed to increase awareness, improve understanding of seafood supply chains, and support more informed purchasing behaviour. Digital tools, enhanced labelling concepts, digital product passports, interactive visualisations, and games (https:// feut.belit.co.rs/game/) were used to make information on seafood origin, safety, quality, sustainability and nutritional value more accessible and engaging. Consumer testing demonstrated that easily understandable information can increase confidence in seafood products, particularly when linked to verified scientific evidence and traceability systems. Participants showed strong interest in information related to product origin, production methods, and freshness, among others. The project further demonstrated that consumer engagement is most

Living Labs as real-world testbeds FishEUTrust also established five Co-creation Living Labs in the Mediterranean Basin, the North Sea, and the Atlantic Sea. These are practical environments where project partners test

As part of the Consumer engagement UNIBO developed a VR space for consumer research. Here consumers could be engaged in virtual choice experiments where their preferences toward seafood products will be analysed, considering parameters as specimen, preparation, labelling, and willingness to pay.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

05_PROJECTS_PRJ.indd 13

27/06/26 1:32 PM

projects

The FishEUTrust developed a digital product passport to better inform consumers and provide comprehensive traceability and data tracking across the seafood supply chain. This is the current working concept for the digital product passport that will be available at project end.

effective when information is tailored to different consumer segments and presented through intuitive and user-friendly formats. Results suggest that future traceability systems should move beyond compliance-driven information provision and focus on delivering clear messages that address consumer concerns and expectations. Educational activities, interactive digital solutions and targeted communication campaigns were identified as important mechanisms for improving public understanding of aquaculture. By linking consumer-facing communication tools with scientific verification methods and digital traceability technologies, FishEUTrust established an evidence-based framework for consumer engagement. The project demonstrates that trust can be strengthened when transparency, scientific validation and effective communication are combined within a single integrated ecosystem, providing a foundation for future

consumer-centred seafood traceability and sustainability initiatives.

A platform for future seafood transparency The overall result of FishEUTrust is not a single technology, but a connected framework for improving trust in European seafood. As the project ends, its legacy lies

in demonstrating that trust must be built across the whole value chain. For the European seafood sector, the project’s message is clear: transparency is becoming a competitive strength. By making product quality, safety, origin, and sustainability easier to verify and communicate, FishEUTrust has helped lay the foundations for seafood supply chains that are not only more traceable, but also more trusted. Søren E. Schrøder, Eurofish, ses@eurofish.dk

The FishEUTrust consortium Coordinator JSI (Slovenia). Partners: WRG Europe (United Kingdom), IPMA (Portugal), UNIBO (Italy), Euroﬁsh International Organisation (Denmark), UNIFI (Italy), UMF (Romania) ,DTU (Denmark),BTU (Germany), NORCE (Norway), EuroFIR (Belgium), UNIPD (Italy), ABT (Malta), REDINN (Italy), BELIT (Serbia), Micrux (Spain), JdCA (Spain), CETGA (Spain), Digital Smart (Montenegro), Bugenvila (Croatia), Oxyguard (Denmark), EAS (Belgium)

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

05_PROJECTS_PRJ.indd 14

27/06/26 1:32 PM

events

Istanbul conference highlights technology and value-addition Organised by Eurofish International Organisation in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Eurofish international conference on processing, certification, and trade held in Istanbul on 9–10 June 2026 brought together around 200 participants from 28 countries, as well as FAO, for two days of presentations, discussion, networking, and a field visit.

he conference addressed some of the central questions facing fisheries and aquaculture businesses including how to secure raw materials, add value, and exploit digital technologies. In their opening interventions speakers from Eurofish and the Turkish authorities welcomed participants to a programme that moved from trade and online sales to processing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and certification.

A changing trade environment The first session addressed trade and online sales in the seafood business. For seafood, e-commerce depends on cold chain discipline, product standardisation, and the processing capacity needed to regularly supply convenient products. Fresh fish is a demanding product category for online retail because quality must be maintained from order to delivery. Moreover, the consumer needs clear information on origin, species, and shelf life. The discussions therefore linked online trade directly to processing and traceability.

he roﬁsh international conference on processing, certiﬁcation, and trade organised ointl with the rkish inistr of gric lt re and orestr drew so e 200 participants fro co ntries across rope

The wider trade picture was addressed in the presentation by Roberto Alonso from ANFACO-CYTMA, who described the European seafood processing sector as a strategic pillar for food security, employment, coastal cohesion, and industrial resilience. Europe is a major seafood consumer

and processor, but its industry depends heavily on imported raw materials. This creates opportunities for international trade but also exposes processors to geopolitical instability and freight disruptions. Securing raw materials through diversified sourcing, free trade agreements, cooperation with

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

06_NEWS EV.indd 15

29/06/26 4:36 PM

events producers, and aquaculture development was essential to competitiveness, in his view. The sector also faces demands for a level playing field. Traceability, catch documentation, food safety, and labour requirements for companies outside the EU need to be comparable to those within, if competition is to be fair.

Processing aims for ever-greater added value Several presentations showed how processing is evolving to create greater added value products. In the Adriatic Sea basin, Ivana Kuzman from Pelagos Net Farma described the structure and trends in sardine, anchovy, and bluefin tuna processing. Sardine remains Croatia’s most important commercial species, accounting for more than 60% of the country’s total fish catch, followed by anchovy, while farmed bluefin tuna is a high-value export. Across these species, a common trend of less volume and more value is emerging. Rising production costs, resource fluctuations, demand for premium products, and the growth of ready-to-eat and convenience seafood are pushing processors towards higher-value formats. For sardine and anchovy, frozen, salted, canned, marinated, and filleted products all have a role. For bluefin tuna, strict regulation, traceability, and careful harvesting techniques support access to high-value export markets. The presentation also reminded participants that modernisation does not remove the importance of people. Skilled workers remain critical to quality, especially in species and product categories where their experience is an invaluable asset. The Nutaaq project from Western Greenland offered another strong example of value creation through

process innovation. Summer inshore cod traditionally suffered from quality problems, including soft texture. Inspired by aquaculture practices, the project introduced live holding in pens where they were kept without feeding for 8-14 days. Planning and collection are vital because the fish must be moved from traps to holding pens and then processed at the right time. The system has improved raw material quality and enabled higher-value production, including pre-rigor processing and freezing. The lesson from Greenland showed that improving value does not always require a new species or a new market but can come from redesigning the way an existing fishery is handled.

Technology reaches the farm and factory The conference also looked at the role of artificial intelligence and digital tools. Umitron, a Japanese company, presented smart aquaculture technologies designed for different farming environments, including locations with limited electricity, connectivity, or capital. The company’s approach combines satellite data, software, and artificial intelligence to support site selection and farm management. Feed is one of the main cost drivers in aquaculture. Poor feeding practice contributes to waste and environmental impact. AI-supported appetite analysis and remote feeding can help farmers feed when fish are ready to eat, reduce waste, and use operational data to improve decision-making. A particularly important point was that smart aquaculture should not be understood as a single pathway based only on large, highly centralised farms. Decentralised technologies may support smaller cages, inland ponds, and regions where infrastructure is limited. By making digital tools more accessible,

such systems can strengthen local production, improve resilience, and support sustainable growth in different regions. This is especially relevant at a time when food supply chains are vulnerable to disruptions from climate events to geopolitical crises that influence energy prices or logistics.

Certification makes sustainability claims credible The second day focused strongly on certification and corporate sustainability. Jacob Færgemand introduced the relationship between accredited certification, and corporate sustainability, including the relevance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the ISO/UNDP work on management systems for the SDGs. Companies are under growing pressure to report on sustainability. However, reporting is useful only when it is connected to management, implementation, and measurable improvement. Certification and standards can help companies move from intentions to structured action. Jacobo de Novoa from Bureau Veritas presented fisheries certification as a portfolio of tools rather than a single route to market. The Marine Stewardship Council standard, chain of custody certification, Certified Seafood International, and emerging approaches such as Community Catch all serve different needs. Certification can support market access, reduce the risk of mislabelling, strengthen traceability, and help consumers identify products from responsibly managed fisheries. However, cost and complexity remain barriers, especially for small-scale fisheries. FAO’s presentation on the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies showed that fisheries and aquaculture

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

06_NEWS EV.indd 16

29/06/26 4:36 PM

events production reached record levels in 2022. Aquatic products are among the world’s most traded foods, and millions of people depend on the sector for employment. At the same time, overfishing, IUU fishing, climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss remain serious challenges. The WTO agreement, which entered into force in 2025, disciplines certain harmful fisheries subsidies, including those linked to IUU fishing and overfished stocks. Its implementation will depend on transparency, fisheries management, technical assistance, and cooperation with organisations such as FAO.

From conference room to processing floor The field visit to the Sağdıçlar Group production plant in Istanbul gave participants a practical view of seafood processing in Türkiye. The company processes different species producing smoked, marinated, salted, frozen, and ready-to-cook items. For participants, the visit connected many of the conference themes including raw material quality, hygiene, product development, and the importance of convenience in modern seafood markets.

Overall, participants considered the presentations and the organisation to be of a high level, and the programme was intense but rich in new information. The conference confirmed that the future of fisheries and aquaculture business will not be shaped by one factor alone. Processing, certification, trade, sustainability, and technology are becoming increasingly interdependent. In Istanbul, the sector’s challenges were clear, but so too were the tools and examples that can help turn them into opportunities. Eva Kovacs, Eurofish, eva@eurofish.dk

Conxemar—where blue business happens Vigo will once again be the epicentre of the frozen seafood sector during the Conxemar International Trade Fair, taking place on 6-8 October. The nowtraditional Conxemar FAO MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food) Congress will be held on Monday, 5 October.

nder the slogan “Where Blue Business Happens,” the Spanish Association of Wholesalers, Importers, Processors, and Exporters of Fishery and Aquaculture Products, Conxemar, is finalising details for the 27th edition of the Conxemar International Trade Fair for frozen seafood, among the globally most important events for the sector, to be held from 6-8 October. As in previous years, the fair will bring together some of the most

relevant international companies, institutions, and buyers in the industry in Vigo, solidifying its position as one of the main meeting and business hubs for frozen seafood products. The 2026 edition significantly strengthens its global reach with the addition of new pavilions and organisations from countries such as Indonesia, Tunisia, Croatia, India, Venezuela, and Angola, as well as other national and European entities. The fair will once again focus on generating business through key initiatives such as the Guest Buyers

Program, which in 2025 facilitated more than 650 business meetings, and the online bilateral meetings organised within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network, in collaboration with the Confederation of Business Owners of Galicia and the Galician Innovation Agency. These tools, which have already proven their effectiveness in previous editions, will expand opportunities for networking between companies and international buyers, both during the fair and in the weeks leading up to and following it.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

06_NEWS EV.indd 17

29/06/26 4:36 PM

events

on e ar, the e ent for the frozen seafood sector, co ines a trade show with a conference arranged ack to ack he latter is organised in colla oration with In 2026 the conference will e on cto er and the show on 6 cto er archi e photo

AI’s impact, the global trade balance, and consumption habits to be analysed at conference Furthermore, the Conxemar FAO MAPA Congress on 5 October will serve as a prelude to the trade fair, bringing together experts, institutional representatives, and industry

professionals to analyse the main challenges and trends that will shape the evolution of the fishing and frozen sectors of the seafood industry. This year’s programme, framed under the theme “Smart Blue Leadership,” will focus on efficiency, intelligence, and global industry standards. It will feature four roundtables that will analyse, from a cross-cutting perspective, some of the key drivers of transformation in the sector: from the balance of international trade and the application of artificial intelligence in traceability,

to changes in consumption habits and the products that define them. Dr. María Neira, former Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), will provide a complementary perspective on her experience at the department. For those interested in attending, complete information on topics and speakers, as well as registration forms for both the fair and the congress, are available on the association’s website, www.conxemar.com.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

06_NEWS EV.indd 18

29/06/26 4:36 PM

events

Technology plays an ever-larger role in aquaculture The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) conference was held on 2-5 June in Singapore. As an aquaculture event and one being held in Asia, many interventions were dedicated to shrimp farming.

orld

ac lt re ociet conference ret rned to ingapore in 2026 after a s ccessf l e ent there in 2022

rior to the main conference on 2 June, WAS organized several well-attended tours to various farms, universities and research facilities in Singapore. Two of the authors had the opportunity to visit the Marine Aquaculture Centre on St. John’s Island. The tour was exceptionally well organized and structured, showcasing some

of the excellent research conducted in Singapore on Asian seabass. This included work on broodstock rearing, selective breeding for faster growth, and larval rearing using rotifers and Artemia as live feed. A fully operational feed production facility for manufacturing extruded aquafeed was also presented. This facility provides opportunities to initiate research

on alternative ingredients and to evaluate their nutritional effects on fish and shrimp. On the first official day of the conference and trade show, proceedings opened with a welcome speech, honorary awards, and a keynote presentation. The opening address was delivered by Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

06_NEWS EV.indd 19

29/06/26 4:36 PM

events Keynote speech shows how tariffs affect seafood flows to the US This year’s keynote speaker was Richard Barry, Director of Programs at the National Fisheries Institute, a non-profit in the US dedicated to education about seafood safety, trade, sustainability, and nutrition. His presentation, titled “U.S. Seafood Market—Sourcing Dynamics and Consumer Behavior in a Tariff Trade Environment,” offered valuable insights into how import tariffs have affected seafood trade flows in the United States. For example, shrimp import patterns have shifted, with other countries replacing China, which was previously the dominant supplier. Another key point was that seafood prices in the United States are now comparable to those of beef. As a result, when tariffs increase seafood prices, consumers tend to switch to more affordable food options due to financial constraints. As the event was held in Asia, there was a natural emphasis on shrimp aquaculture. Numerous presentations covered production methods and systems, nutrition and feed development, as well as disease control and health management. Key takeaways from the shrimp aquaculture sessions included the increasing intensification of pond-based systems and the growing implementation of advanced water treatment technologies. The primary focus is now on whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), whereas 20 years ago it was giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) that received the most attention. According to FAO statistics, in 2003 global production of whiteleg shrimp shot ahead of that of giant tiger prawn. Its lead has only widened since then, as output of the latter has been largely stagnant. As a result, presentations on giant tiger prawn are relatively rare today.

Secondary value streams and zero emissions are increasingly important In addition, there is a growing focus on clean recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for shrimp production, particularly in Europe. Interestingly, shrimp farming in Europe has gradually expanded over the past decade, although it remains at an early stage compared to other aquaculture sectors. Another take home message from the European aquaculture presentations was a focus on developing new methods, including microalgae reactors, membrane filters, and biofloc as parts of the production systems. Creating secondary value streams for the production facilities, and a focus on zero emission systems were also among the topics discussed. A few talks covered interesting species like abalone, sea urchins and octopus, as emergent species in intensive aquaculture. Fish aquaculture talks showcased recent advances in the application of selective breeding approaches to accelerate genetic improvement of commercially important traits, including growth performance and disease resistance. Furthermore, several studies demonstrated how molecular insights are improving the development and optimisation of vaccines, contributing to more targeted and effective disease prevention strategies in aquaculture production systems. Presentations on disease diagnosis focused on the development and application of rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput molecular tools for pathogen detection, surveillance, and epidemiological investigations. Several studies demonstrated the use of environmental nucleic acids-driven quantitative PCR to improve early disease detection and monitoring.

E-poster sessions are no substitute for the real thing The poster sessions were organized in an e-poster format. The concept involved setting up several stations where conference attendees could sit and browse through the posters. In the authors’ opinion, this format worked poorly, and posters in general did not receive much attention. This aspect needs to be improved, as poster presentations are often the first opportunity for young scientists to present their work and so should provide a positive experience. It also appeared that there was some confusion among poster presenters, including among the authors, regarding when and what was expected of them. A more traditional poster session format—potentially combined with light refreshments served in the poster area—might encourage better engagement and interaction. Another issue during the conference was the high number of speakers who did not attend their scheduled presentations. During the first two days, this disrupted the flow of the programme, but on the third day it significantly affected the conference, with only around 20% of speakers attending. This is likely not a problem unique to WAS, as similar patterns were observed on the final day of the joint EAS and WAS meeting in Copenhagen in 2024, although not to the same extent. It is a serious concern, but it is expected that the WAS board is aware of the issue and will address it in future conferences. Asst. Prof. Per Meyer Jepsen, Roskilde University, Denmark; Asst. Prof. Louise von Gersdorff Jørgensen, Asst. Prof. Moonika Marana, PhD students Hannah Malene Jensen and Lasse Polke-Pedersen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

06_NEWS EV.indd 20

29/06/26 4:36 PM

türkiye INTERVIEW WITH VICE MINISTER EBUBEKIR GIZLIGIDER, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

Sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience define success

he Turkish fisheries and aquaculture sector, as a rapidly growing industry in terms of both production and exports, not only contributes to the country’s economy but also supports the supply of healthy food on both national and global scales. In 2025, a record production of 1 million 37 thousand metric tonnes—the highest in the country’s history—was achieved. Of this total, 410 thousand metric tonnes came from capture fisheries and 627 thousand metric tonnes from aquaculture, with aquaculture’s share reaching 60 percent. The steady growth in aquaculture production has also been reflected in foreign trade, with 288 thousand metric tonnes of aquatic products exported, valued at $2.3 billion. Ebubekir Gizligider, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, speaks here about the development of Turkish fisheries and aquaculture sector with a vision for the future. Türkiye is now Europe’s most important producer of farmed sea bass, sea bream, freshwater trout and, increasingly, Black Sea-raised large rainbow trout (Turkish salmon). Over the next five years, where do you see the most realistic growth coming from: higher volumes of existing species, new species, value-added processing, or stronger branding of Turkish fish on export markets? For Türkiye, growth in aquaculture is meaningful not only in terms of increased production volume, but also in terms of sustainability, economic value creation, and international competitiveness. In the coming period, we expect growth to come from planned increases

n ster

ek r

zl g der,

n str of

in existing species, the development of strategic products such as Turkish Salmon, greater species diversification, stronger value-added processing capacity, and further progress in branding in export markets. Sea bass, sea bream, and trout will continue to form the backbone of our sector. Turkish Salmon, in particular, has become an important export product thanks to the advantages offered by the Black Sea and the experience of our sector. Our objective is not uncontrolled capacity expansion, but planned growth that safeguards quality, biosecurity, and market stability. In 2024, Türkiye

gr c lt re and orestr ,

rk e

introduced production planning covering sea bass, sea bream, trout, Turkish Salmon, and Mediterranean mussels. These species account for approximately 98 percent of our aquaculture production. In addition, species such as Mediterranean mussels and sturgeon offer significant value-added potential. Our aim is not only to produce more, but also to obtain higher value from every kilogram produced. Aquaculture has expanded rapidly, but growth could also bring pressure on coastal spaces, the marine and freshwater environments, and relations with tourism and other maritime

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

05_TÜRKIYE (TR).indd 21

27/06/26 1:24 PM

türkiye users. How does the ministry balance further aquaculture development with other conflicting demands? Aquaculture is one of the most strategic components of Türkiye’s blue economy. However, we do not evaluate this development solely in terms of production growth. Our approach is to ensure that aquaculture develops in harmony with environmental protection, tourism, fisheries, maritime transport, and other sectors using coastal areas. New production areas are assessed on the basis of scientific studies and the opinions of relevant institutions, while environmental impacts are regularly monitored. Environmental sustainability is at the centre of all our decisions. Water quality, benthic structure, and biodiversity are monitored, and we aim to strengthen environmental performance through digital and advanced monitoring systems. In addition, new approaches such as offshore aquaculture can reduce pressure on coastal areas while offering new opportunities for sustainable growth. Our aim is to develop a model that protects production and the environment together. Türkiye’s fisheries sector depends heavily on the Black Sea, while the wider region has been affected by war, disrupted logistics, and energy-price volatility. How has the geopolitical situation changed the operating conditions for Turkish fishers, Black Sea fish farmers, and seafood exporters? Are there plans to increase production of Turkish salmon in the Black Sea? The Black Sea is a strategic region for Türkiye’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. It is an important basin for capture fisheries, particularly anchovy, and is also the main production area for Turkish Salmon. Recent geopolitical developments have affected operating conditions mainly through increases in energy, logistics, feed, transport, and packaging costs. Fishers have faced higher fuel costs, while aquaculture enterprises, processing facilities, and exporters have had to adapt to more

challenging supply chain conditions. Nevertheless, Türkiye’s strong processing capacity, logistics infrastructure, and diversified export network have enabled the sector to respond quickly to changing conditions. Turkish Salmon has become a strategic export product thanks to public policies, private sector investment, and producer experience. We see significant potential in the Black Sea; however, the objective is not uncontrolled expansion. Any increase in salmon production in Türkiye will take place within the production planning framework and in line with environmental carrying capacity, biosecurity, fish health, processing capacity, and market demand. Türkiye has a large capture fisheries fleet and remains a leading fishing nation in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region. How does the administration intend to improve stock status and reduce pressure on sensitive species, while at the same time ensure that fishing remains economically viable for coastal communities? Türkiye is one of the leading fishing countries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and fisheries are vital for food security, employment and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Our policy is therefore built on balancing the sustainable use of marine resources with the long-term viability of the fishing sector. To improve stock status and reduce pressure on vulnerable species, we implement science-based management measures in line with our national priorities and our commitments under the GFCM. These include quotas for key stocks, seasonal and area closures, minimum conservation reference sizes, licensing, vessel monitoring, electronic reporting, landing controls and strong monitoring, control and surveillance activities. These measures are supported by extensive enforcement, with more than 200,000 fisheries inspections conducted annually to combat illegal, unreported

and unregulated (IUU) fishing and ensure compliance. We believe that healthy fish stocks and prosperous fishing communities go hand in hand. Through science-based management, effective enforcement and regional cooperation, Türkiye is committed to ensuring that fisheries remain both environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Climate change is already affecting temperatures of marine and inland waters, accelerating the presence of alien species, increasing disease risks, and causing shifts in the migration patterns of some marine species. Which climate-related changes worry the ministry most? Are mechanisms in place to help fishers and fish farmers adapt? For example, is the ministry encouraging the use of recirculating aquaculture systems for freshwater trout and/or other emerging species? Climate change is no longer a distant risk; it is a sectoral reality that must be managed today. The main risks include rising temperatures in marine and inland waters, changes in species distribution, invasive species, disease and biosecurity risks, and pressure on water resources. These developments can directly affect both capture fisheries and aquaculture production. In order to adapt to these risks, scientific monitoring, early warning systems, fish health practices, and biosecurity measures are being continuously improved. In addition, recirculating aquaculture systems, aquaponic applications, and other innovative technologies that contribute to more efficient use of water resources are considered important tools for climate change adaptation. Investments in modern aquaculture technologies are supported under the grant and investment support schemes implemented by our Ministry. In addition, research and development activities on climate change adaptation, new aquaculture technologies, water efficiency, fish health, and alternative production systems are encouraged through R&D

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

05_TÜRKIYE (TR).indd 22

27/06/26 1:24 PM

türkiye support. Our aim is to make the fisheries and aquaculture sector more resilient to climate risks, more efficient in the use of resources, and more sustainable. Türkiye’s domestic seafood consumption remains modest compared with its production and export capacity. Does the ministry see scope to increase domestic consumption, and, if so, what policies or campaigns are needed to make fish more accessible and attractive to Turkish consumers? Türkiye has strong production and export capacity; however, there is still potential to increase per capita consumption of fisheries and aquaculture products. In recent years, thanks to awareness-raising and promotional activities carried out in cooperation with our Ministry and sector stakeholders, particularly the Central Union of Aquaculture Producers of Türkiye, annual per capita consumption of aquatic products has reached 8.8 kilograms in 2025. Campaigns involving well-known physicians, academics, and digital media content creators have also made an important contribution to this process. Nevertheless, this figure remains below the world average, and there is still significant potential to increase consumption. Increasing domestic consumption is important not only for the sector, but also for public health and balanced nutrition. In this context, making fish more accessible and practical for consumers is among our priorities. Filleted, portioned, cleaned, frozen, and ready-to-cook products offer important opportunities, particularly for younger consumers and urban lifestyles. Aquaculture products provide regular supply throughout the year and help reduce seasonal fluctuations in consumption. The development of the cold chain, improved access to inland regions, correct labelling practices, and strengthened consumer confidence are also important. In the coming period, we will continue our efforts with sector stakeholders to further develop a culture of fish consumption.

The sector includes many small-scale fishers and smaller aquaculture operators where output is minor, but the socio-economic importance is significant. How can policy support competitiveness of this part of the sector without weakening rural employment or the social fabric of coastal communities? Small-scale fishers may have a limited share in total production, but they are highly important in terms of employment, coastal culture, local knowledge, and social cohesion. Small and medium-sized aquaculture enterprises are also valuable for family labour, rural development, and regional economies. The policy approach should not be limited to passive support alone; it should help this segment become more organised, registered, efficient, resilient, and connected to higher-value chains. Cooperatives and producer organisations play a critical role in joint purchasing, joint sales, cold chain development, certification, financing, and marketing. For small producers, targeted support, insurance, energy and water efficiency, technical advisory services, digitalisation, direct sales, local branding, fisheries tourism, and female and youth entrepreneurship are important. Marine spatial planning has become more sensitive in the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, where countries’ fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, energy, tourism, and security interests all make claims on the area. How should Türkiye protect its sectoral interests while maintaining its cooperation with neighbouring countries? Marine areas in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean are increasingly used for fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, energy, environmental protection, and security. Türkiye’s approach is to protect its legitimate rights and interests while maintaining technical and scientific cooperation with neighbouring countries. Fish stocks, water quality, alien and invasive

species, disease risks, and climate change do not recognise borders. Therefore, data sharing, joint scientific studies, stock monitoring, environmental observation, and combating illegal fishing are important. Balanced management of marine areas requires science-based site selection, carrying-capacity assessment, environmental monitoring, and inter-institutional coordination. Our aim is to ensure that marine areas are managed on the basis of planning, sustainability, and cooperation. What are your medium-term priorities for the sector? In 2030, apart from higher production and exports, what other parameters would you consider as indices for the successful implementation of Turkish fisheries and aquaculture policy, and how would you measure this success? How can the long-term environmental sustainability of the aquaculture sector be ensured? Our medium-term priority is to transform the sector into one that is not only producing more, but is also more sustainable, competitive, traceable, resilient, and value-oriented. In 2030, success should not be measured only by production and export volumes. The health of fish stocks, the sustainability of fishing pressure, the protection of sensitive species, progress in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, water quality, biosecurity, disease management, and feed and energy efficiency are key indicators. Economically, export value per unit, the share of processed products, brand strength, certified production, and market diversification should be monitored. Socially, the welfare of small-scale fishers, women, young people, cooperatives, and coastal communities is important. Long-term environmental sustainability will be ensured through production planning, carrying-capacity assessment, digital monitoring, climate adaptation, scientific data, and strong inspection.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

05_TÜRKIYE (TR).indd 23

27/06/26 1:24 PM

denmark

Biohuts reduce mortality among young fish A project by the Port of Copenhagen, WWF, and organisations housed in buildings along the quays is bringing more biodiversity to the water in the channels around the port by installing safe spaces for juvenile fish.

he EU’s biodiversity strategy seeks to undo some of the damage to the environment inflicted by human activity as well as to create greater resilience to the impacts of climate change. Biodiversity restoration and protection have immense economic, health, and nutritional benefits. According to the strategy, at a global scale half of the world’s GDP relies on nature including industries such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, and fisheries, and over half the world’s drugs can be traced to compounds found in nature.

Increasing biodiversity benefits vital industries Agriculture is heavily reliant on insects to pollinate crops, while genetic diversity results in more resilient and adaptable crops and livestock ensuring food security around the world. The strategy aims to place biodiversity on the road to recovery by 2030 en route to restored ecosystems by 2050. Implementation of the strategy is funded by various EU funding mechanisms, EU Member States, and the private sector. Efforts to restore biodiversity are being implemented at EU, national, and local levels to counter the impacts of unsustainable human activities such

Lone Daugaard Jepsen, Head of Sustainability, IDA

as intensive farming and forestry, as well as of pollution. In a local Copenhagen biodiversity initiative, WWF and By & Havn, the company responsible for the Port of Copenhagen, have joined forces in a project to bring more life to the water in the port and the surrounding channels. “Life” here refers to animal life;

of human life there is no lack. The Port of Copenhagen attracts some two million people each year including bathers, swimmers, boating, kayaking, and rowing enthusiasts, users of the public harbour buses, as well as large numbers of anglers who fish along the 42 km of quays. Among the partners in the project is Ecocean, an ecological

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 24

18/08/26 1:52 PM

denmark engineering firm based in Montpellier, France that creates solutions to encourage biodiversity in ports and urban environments. Since 2021, the company has installed 200 Biohuts in Copenhagen. A Biohut is an artificial nursery comprising a steel cage itself made of recycled material. Of the 200 installations, 80 were part of a collaboration between WWF and By & Havn to improve fish habitats and biodiversity in the port.

Cages replace natural habitats The cages comprise an inner chamber containing oyster shells which provide a substrate that helps establish a food chain, and an outer area where the young fish (less than 3 cm) are protected from predators. The Biohuts are available in different models, but the ones used in Copenhagen were Dock Biohuts, a variant that can be tethered to a quay. The cages are placed 20-50 cm under the water surface in areas undisturbed by vessels or swimmers. Ecocean reports that the survival rate among pre-juvenile animals in an undisturbed coastal ecosystem is less than 10%. In an environment subject to anthropomorphic pressure, such as a port, this drops to near zero, due in part to the absence of natural nursery habitats where the pre-juvenile fish can find feed and protection from predators. The Biohuts replace these natural habitats and contribute thereby to maintaining populations of fish and other marine organisms in these areas. Since the time they were installed in the port more species have been seen including wrasse, varieties of kelp, and even the threatened European eel. According to WWF, the presence of a wider range of marine organisms contributes to a balanced ecosystem that is also more resistant, for example, to invasive species.

Installing the Biohuts is a process that includes an initial assessment of the area to identify environmental conditions and the existing level of biodiversity. Once the cages are installed the area is monitored to assess the impacts of the Biohuts and during the lifespan of the project the structures are maintained to preserve the ecological functioning and prolong their life. Finally, when the project concludes the structures are removed and recycled. In addition to the Biohuts, Ecocean also installed three floating ecosystems, platforms that provide safe spaces for fish and invertebrates and which also attract birds and insects. The roots of the plants growing on the platform are submerged in the water from where they absorb nutrients—nitrogen and phosphorus—thus filtering the water as they grow.

IDA’s sustainability work makes it an obvious project partner The Biohuts were installed in cooperation with organisations occupying buildings along the quay. Among them, IDA, the union for those working at a high level in technology, natural sciences, and IT. Lone Daugaard Jepsen, the head of sustainability, says IDA provided the space where 25 Biohuts could be suspended, and contributed to the installation and maintenance costs. The initiative fits in with IDA’s broader sustainability work. The organisation believes that combining knowledge of technology and people can help create a better future and, as an institution representing engineers, having an office that embodies this belief helps to promote it as well. IDA is certified to the ISO 14001 standard for creating and maintaining an environmental management system. In the building, which houses some

The Biohuts being installed at the quay behind the IDA building.

500 people, this includes recycling wherever possible, collecting rainwater for use in the toilets, and ongoing operational measures to reduce environmental impact. The UN sustainable development goals have been part of IDA’s vision since 2017, says Ms Jepsen, with the organisation examining its operations to see how it could contribute to the UN SDG targets and indicators. The green transition is one of several areas where IDA is active, and within this area it focuses on climate, circular economy, and biodiversity, among others, convening experts, organising events, producing reports, and lobbying the Danish parliament. Copenhagen’s example may inspire other port cities to establish Biohuts and thereby contribute to a better environment in their waters. And while these fish nurseries in practice may only be a small, if innovative, step towards improved ecosystems, they carry weight as a proof of concept and deserve to be replicated far and wide.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 25

18/08/26 1:52 PM

denmark

Danish fish auctions battle red tape

n Denmark, after a period of consolidation, there are today four fish auctions—in Thyborøn, Thorsminde, Hvide Sande, and Gilleleje that operate under a shared management structure and use the Dutch PEFA system. In addition, there are auctions in Hanstholm, Hirtshals, Strandby, and Grenaa. The consolidation among auctions has also led to mergers among local fish collection centres as fish sorting and selling activities often take place at the same location. Consolidation has not affected smaller ports as refrigerated trucks drive to even small landing sites to pick up the fish and bring it to auction. Distances are not large and fishers tend to benefit from having their fish grouped into larger lots as it usually leads to better prices.

Warming climate brings changes in species composition In 2025 about 48,000 tonnes of fish were sold through Danish auctions of some 174,000 tonnes of fish landed for human consumption. Poul Ole Nielsen, director of Qfish, a consultant for Danish Fish Auctions, there

is a gradual specialisation. For example, Gilleleje and Strandby in Norway lobster; Hanstholm in whitefish; and Thyborøn in flatfish. While these are still the major groups of species sold at Danish auctions, Denmark is not immune to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea temperatures are causing a decline in landings of some traditional species, while minor volumes of species common in the south, such as red mullet, European sea bass, John Dory, and thick-lipped grey mullet, are now being landed. The larger fish auctions try to attract foreign vessels to land their catches as this is also likely to bring more buyers creating a virtuous cycle. Research from Norway has shown that prices increased with the number of bidders. A study of frozen Atlantic cod auctions found that, compared with auctions with only one bidder, prices were 4.51% higher with two bidders, 6.47% higher with three, 7.18% higher with four, and 9.88% higher with five or more, after controlling for lot size, quality, seasonality, and other factors. Logistical support for foreign vessels including assistance with provisioning and vessel and gear repair facilities are among the reasons for foreign vessels to dock at Danish ports. But perhaps the biggest incentive is the higher prices foreign

P.O. Nielsen

Auctions follow a basic principle—the highest bidder gets the product on offer. Fish auctions follow the same principle but in addition to selling fish, they can also offer other services such as quality control, sorting, grading, storage, distribution, and even processing.

PoulOleNielsen,directorofQfish,a consultant for Danish Fish Auctions

vessels can obtain for their fish. As a result, there is a growing volume of fish mainly from Norway that arrives by truck to be sold at Danish fish auctions. Mr Nielsen says that prices often are higher when compared to other major European fish auctions such as Urk in the Netherlands, Zeebrugge in Belgium, and Boulogne-sur-Mer in

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 26

29/06/26 6:38 PM

denmark

Danish fish auctions are both physical and digital Danish auctions are both physical when buyers or their representatives can see the fish in person, or online. In Mr Nielsen’s opinion there is place for both formats and, critically, any difference in sales prices are insignificant. The advantage of the online auction is that it is faster to conduct and more buyers can participate—in the Danish context also buyers from Netherlands and France. On the other hand, traditional auctions are preferred by processing companies if they have their facilities in the area of the auction and can send their representatives to assess the quality of the fish in person. Online buyers get information about the quality and quantity of the lots electronically. The auction provides all the information mandated by law as well as any additional information buyers may request. Each individual box of fish has a large volume of data associated with it which is available to buyers. Overseas buyers participate in the auctions knowing that, even based in Paris, they can take physical possession of the fish within 24 hours of it being sold.

P.O. Nielsen

France. For the Danish processing industry foreign landings are an important source of supply. The imposition of a CO2 levy on fishing vessels was suspended when it led a to a decline in foreign landings that affected both the auctions and the fish industry. But Mr Nielsen points out that from 2029, the tax will be phased in at a rate of DKK 375 per ton of CO2. As of 2030, the fishing industry will be required to pay the full uniform CO2 tax of DKK 750 per ton of CO2 emitted, which he feels will be disastrous for part of the Danish fishing industry.

The Dutch PEFA system used by Danish Fish Auctions, the company managing the auctions in Thyborøn, Thorsminde, Hvide Sande, and Gilleleje.

Regulatory burden gets steadily heavier The benefits of the Danish auctions are however being undermined by the increasing regulatory demands being imposed on the sector by political authorities. Though the ever-growing burden of control and registration is ordained by the EU, Mr Nielsen thinks that Danish authorities “goldplate” the rules, creating greater challenges for Danish auctions than are faced by auctions in other EU countries. Certain information must be provided to the authorities two or three times over for little practical purpose, he claims. He hopes the EU will soon make some long-awaited progress towards simplifying regulations and removing red tape. As an example, he cites the new Control Regulation (2023/2842). This calls for fish that is weighed and packed on board using approved scales to be re-weighed on landing. To do this the fish must be transferred into new boxes without ice, a considerable undertaking for the auctions, and one which can delay the sale of the fish to the next day with consequences for the quality, shelf life, and price.

Auctions play an important role in the distribution of fish Another issue he raises is the restrictions on fishing activities, rigid control regulations and registration requirements, and stiff penalties for even minor infractions. Bottom trawling is another topic that generates controversy about its impacts even among scientists. The view among some politicians that bottom trawling should be largely or entirely prohibited due to damage caused to the seabed is not scientifically substantiated, in Mr Nielsen’s opinion, and would deal a fatal blow to Danish fishing as it exists today while eliminating 80% of the fish auctions’ turnover. He argues that a better route would be to intensify efforts to develop gear that is gentler on the seabed and more selective regarding the species caught which would benefit both the marine environment and the fishing industry. Auctions play an important role in the supply of fish for human consumption, specifically demersal fish and crustaceans (pelagic fish is generally sold directly to

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 27

29/06/26 6:38 PM

denmark

IUU fish unlikely to slip through auctions A captain heading for an auction may not know the exact value of the fish he has on board until it is sold, but from the season, location, and current price levels he can make a fairly accurate estimate. Some fish landed in Danish ports by foreign vessels, typically flat fish landed by Dutch vessels, is sent overland to auctions in the Netherlands, while fish not sold through the auctions is usually sold directly to processors at a price either determined in a contract for the season or negotiated prior to

P.O. Nielsen

customers), and slashing their turnover would have repercussions further down the value chain, which had an estimated turnover of DKK21bn in 2020 and employed some 1,800 people, according to a 2023 paper from the University of Copenhagen. For fishing vessels, the ability to land the fish in a port and leave the practical work of sorting, grading, and sales to the collection centre and/or auction is a huge benefit as they do not have the physical capacity or administrative infrastructure to do this themselves.

Not all auctions are electronic. Here, buyers can physically inspect the boxes (in this case, of Norway lobster) and then bid for them at a traditional auction managed by an auctioneer.

landing. As already mentioned, landings at Danish auctions are carefully controlled so that the risk of IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fish entering the market is remote. Imported catches must be accompanied by a catch certificate, and data on landings is reported immediately to the authorities and can be cross checked with logbook information that is sent prior to arrival at the port. Mr Nielsen believes that the potential for illegal fish to enter

LET’S TEAM UP Eurofish partners with stakeholders in its member countries and beyond executing projects for the development of fisheries and aquaculture. Team up with us by contacting projects@eurofish.dk or visit eurofish.dk/projects for more information.

the market is greater from direct sales than from the auctions. Danish auctions are adapting to the challenges they face from shrinking fleets and falling landings by consolidating, shifting to electronic platforms, and offering comprehensive and efficient services. If efforts to reduce the demands placed on them by regulatory bodies are also implemented, it would allow them to better fulfil their role as the first point in the supply of fish to the Danish market.

S T R AT E G Y RESEARCH A N A LY S I S DEVELOPMENT GROWTH I N N O VAT I O N PA R T N E R S H I P MARKETING

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 28

29/06/26 5:26 PM

denmark

Skagen Salmon makes a case for sustainable fish farming On the northern tip of Denmark, where the Skagerrak and Kattegat meet, Skagen Salmon is attempting to prove that salmon can be successfully farmed on land using a business model that delivers high quality with low environmental pressure.

lobally, only a handful of companies currently produce market-sized salmon on land. BCG, a consultancy, estimated in a 2024 report1 that there were some 100 projects worldwide of which only a minority had completed a harvest or even reached construction. Atlantic salmon farmed in sea cages makes up more than 90% of the roughly 2.7m tonnes of salmon farmed around the world. The technology is tried and tested and has shown itself to be commercially viable.

Farming salmon in cages has environmental costs However, over the years it is increasingly apparent that farming salmon in marine cages has several negative environmental impacts. Researchers from the University of Exeter in a 2024 paper2 point to, among others, the local buildup of uneaten feed and excreted wastes leading to eutrophication, the accumulation of parasitic sea lice, and the influence of drugs used in the production on non-target species. Moreover, escapes from the cages may affect wild salmon populations. Farming sites at sea are often far from markets, adding

The Skagen Salmon RAS facility currently produces about 3,000 tonnes of market-sized salmon for customers in Denmark, Sweden, and Germany.

to emissions generated by the transport of fish. For producers, climate change is also a risk factor as it causes water temperatures to rise which in turn increases the risks from parasites and diseases as well as harmful algal blooms. Weather patterns have also become more unstable, with more frequent and intense events such as storms and heatwaves. In the Norwegian salmon industry the Norwegian Veterinary Institute3 estimated mortality from all causes among fish transferred to sea at 15.4% in 2024. There are thus several reasons to consider other production models, of which RAS (Recirculation Aquaculture Systems) are the most widespread.

At Skagen Salmon in northern Denmark, Jacob Veiss, the CEO, hopes that successfully farming salmon in RAS will not only benefit his investors but also serve to inspire other companies to grow salmon this way. A cleaner way to farm salmon has limited value

S. Martinsen, H. Vedeler & N. B. Sætre (2024),

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 2

A. Ross Brown, Rod W. Wilson & Charles R. Tyler

(2025), Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture 3

T. Moldal, J. Wiik-Nielsen, V. H. S. Oliveira,

J. C. Svendsen, I. Sommerset (2025), Norwegian Veterinary Institute

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 29

29/06/26 5:26 PM

denmark if it remains a niche project. The company produces around three thousand tonnes a year, he says, a tiny fraction of global salmon supply. The positive environmental effect will therefore be modest unless global production using this technology can be scaled up. The broader ambition is to demonstrate that land-based salmon farming can work technically, commercially, and environmentally. If investors, producers, retailers, and consumers accept the model, the effect could spread far beyond Skagen. There are two things we need to prove, says Mr Veiss. One is that we can produce salmon in a way that is as sustainable as possible, with good quality. The other is that it is financially sustainable. If we fail on either count, there is no case. But the omens are good. The BCG report estimates land-based volumes to reach close to 200 thousand tonnes by 2030 or 5-6% of global volume.

RAS technology enables control of all production parameters In Skagen, the company’s 28,000-square-metre facility is built around RAS technology. Seawater is taken from the Skagerrak, cleaned, circulated through the farm, and discharged after treatment. Freshwater from the municipal water supply is used in the hatchery. The land-based system gives the company far greater control over waste, water quality, disease risk, and escapes. The water is recirculated, with a small share of fresh water introduced in each cycle. Waste, uneaten feed and excreted matter from the system, is collected and supplied to a nearby biogas plant to produce energy. There are no sea lice treatments, no escapes, and no antibiotic use in production. The fish are vaccinated before entering the saltwater phase to

reduce the risk from viruses, but primarily it is the controlled environment that sharply reduces exposure to many of the disease and parasite challenges associated with open sea farming. On the other hand, the cleaning and filtration systems are complex, expensive to install and operate, and sensitive. They lie at the heart of Skagen Salmon’s production and malfunctions here, which have been known to occur at other producers, can have huge repercussions. The company holds ASC certification for both production and chain of custody, and the production procedure allows it to claim an exemption from the Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries Agency’s freezing requirement when, for example, the fish is destined for sushi. Mr Veiss connects these qualities to the production system itself. In tanks, the current can be controlled. Making the fish swim against the water flow influences muscle development and fat content. We can exercise our salmon through the full life cycle, he says, resulting in a shorter, more muscular fish with leaner

flesh and, for some, better organoleptic properties. Mr Veiss acknowledges that the concept of product quality depends partly on the customer. For instance, a sushi chef who prefers fattier fish may not share the view that leaner salmon is better, while for other customers the reverse may be true. The company’s target for its production is those consumers, chefs, and retailers who are prepared to pay for a fish that differs from conventionally farmed salmon in eating quality and environmental profile.

A premium branded product rather than an anonymous generic Mr Veiss argues that salmon has long been treated too much like a commodity. Skagen Salmon wants its name visible on packs, menus, and processed products, either as a brand or through co-branding. The company sells head-on gutted fish from its own

From the hatchery to the start feed area salmon fry are moved manually. All s se ent transfers of the ﬁsh se s ste s of p ps and pipes

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 30

29/06/26 5:26 PM

denmark

Among the company’s customers are up-market restaurants, where chefs create signature dishes from the high alit ﬁsh

slaughterhouse, but it has chosen not to build filleting or smoking facilities on site. Space in Skagen is too valuable, he says, so if the company expands physically, it will most likely use the land for growing more salmon. Processing is therefore handled through partners. In Denmark, the company works closely with a processor in Hirtshals. In Sweden, a partner sells a range of products including fillets and smoked items under, or alongside, the Skagen Salmon name. In Germany, the company is working with Peter Niemann, a Michelin-starred chef with access to higher-end foodservice channels. The strategy is to find partners who share the same values, help them with logistics and product form, and ensure the Skagen Salmon identity reaches the end customer. A high quality, premium priced product is the inevitable consequence of farming in a RAS, a system

that requires high capital investment for heavy equipment, pumps, filtration, cooling, oxygenation, monitoring, and strict compliance with environmental regulations. These costs need to be covered by the price otherwise the production is not viable. In terms of challenges energy is the sharpest for this type of venture. The company can clean water and reduce marine discharges, but producing salmon on land consumes large amounts of energy. Skagen Salmon is conscious of this and therefore generates part of its electricity through solar panels and its own wind turbine. The next stage in addressing this challenge, Mr Veiss suggests, may involve batteries, allowing the plant to store power when it is cheap, and to use the stored power when energy from the grid is expensive. Cooling also consumes energy. Salmon grows well at controlled temperatures, and Skagen Salmon keeps the grow-out water at about 12 degrees. In summer, incoming seawater may be much warmer, and the recirculated water also gains heat from fish metabolism and system operation. Cooling is therefore essential. Here the company has found a local industrial partner that can use the heat generated from cooling the water to supply around 900 households in the area.

Effects of changes in production plan take two years to manifest The salmon has a two-year growth period from egg to harvest. A change in production planning made today may not show its full effect until 2028. Skagen Salmon’s first full production year with both farm and own slaughterhouse running at capacity was 2025. The company has since changed

its production plan, moving from a 12-week cycle towards a seven-week cycle. The aim is to smooth biomass across the facility, reduce stress, improve growth conditions, narrow the size spread, and lift average harvest weight closer to four kilos. The change required only limited physical alteration, mainly around light control in the freshwater phase, but the full biological and commercial effect of the change will only be visible in two years. Until then the company will seek to increase production by optimising its operations but will not invest in a new facility until it is confident that all systems and procedures are mature enough to “press copy”. This can only happen once the operation can no longer spring surprises, all the data generated by the system are being captured and analysed, and the brand is widely known and trusted. The company is working on a digital strategy, that will allow data currently stored in different systems to be linked and provide information that can be used to predict outcomes such as flesh colour, or fat content. Initiatives to promote not just the company brand but also the importance of sustainability include a visitor centre with a shop and guided tours of the facility that attract several hundred visitors a year. Consumers need to understand, Mr Veiss says, why a land-based salmon costs more, why production method affects welfare and environment, and why a premium product can still represent value. If Skagen Salmon succeeds in persuading its customers to pay a premium for the high quality and environmental credentials of its products it will achieve commercial success. If this success in turn inspires others to establish facilities to farm salmon in RAS, it may over time lead to Mr Veiss’ vision of a sector where a measurable proportion of farmed salmon originates from sustainable sources.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 31

29/06/26 5:26 PM

denmark

An island restaurant menu to inspire European seafood policy On a small Danish island in the South Funen Archipelago, a restaurant has spent four years building its menus around a single question: what does this place actually produce, right now, at its best? That discipline has become one of the reference points for a European project asking a much larger version of the same question about the continent’s coastal waters and fish innovation.

A restaurant on a Danish island that uses locally sourced seafood even when the species are unfamiliar shows how underutilised resources can be put to good use with eneﬁts all ro nd

ocal action can solve global issues. The restaurant Marstang Mad & Vin was founded in June 2022 and as travel journalist Jeanine Barone wrote in Forbes magazine, it offers one of the most scrumptious and sustainable eating experiences she had encountered in Denmark. The philosophy is simple: “Don’t make it too complicated; it should be local, sustainable, fun and taste good.” Local farms send a weekly email

listing of what is ready to harvest. The wine arrives on tap, each keg replacing twenty-seven bottles, cutting transport emissions in half. Fish and shellfish are sourced from the island and surrounding archipelago, treated with a whole-catch discipline that turns frames into stock, livers into amuse-bouche, and skin into garnish. Nothing is wasted. The restaurant challenges its guests—serving cabbage to people who say they don’t like cabbage,

confident that the right preparation will sway stomachs and minds. The same confidence, applied to lesser-known species, is the operational heart of what the Forgotten Fish project has spent two years trying to make transferable across European coastal communities. Islands like Ærø sit within a broader coastal culture in which communities live in active relationship with the ocean—aware of what it provides, attentive to its constraints, and willing to build their identity around what it offers rather than importing a standardised global seafood repertoire. And that relationship is an economic and ecological necessity for future European fisheries policy.

What we learned from an octopus… The Forgotten Fish project is an Erasmus+ KA210-VET small-scale partnership launched in September 2024, led by Marstang Mad & Vin with three partners: Nordic Wellbeing Academy, NWA (Denmark), the Lazareta Cultural Association (Greece), and Igor Vitale International (Italy), connecting Ærø with Syros island and the Foggia peninsula. Over two years the consortium

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 32

29/06/26 5:26 PM

denmark has surveyed 117 restaurateurs and fishermen across the three countries, developed a four-module MOOC (massive open online course) on forgotten fish in gastronomy and artisanal fishing, and produced a 24-recommendation policy and business framework for the sustainable integration of underutilised species into European seafood systems. Lars Münter, International Director of NWA, attended the Eurofish International Conference in Istanbul in June 2026—as NWA also did in Tallinn in 2024—to network with European fisheries stakeholders and bring practical project evidence into a broader professional exchange. He says the barriers keeping forgotten fish off European menus are not really ecological, as many of these alternative species are present in viable volumes. The barriers are more structural—partly as supply chains are strongly calibrated to a few commercial species, and as most culinary training skips the lesser known species too. The survey data from Greece, Denmark, and Italy tell a strikingly consistent story despite the differences between a Cycladic island, a South Funen archipelago, and a Pugliese coastal town. Awareness of the forgotten fish concept is low everywhere. Consumer demand is minimal in all three countries. Fishermen across all three contexts routinely discard, eat at home, or sell at a loss the species that market infrastructure has no room for. And in all three countries, both restaurateurs and fishermen express genuine openness to change—if given the training, the supply chain relationships, and the communication tools to act on it. But the data revealed other interesting facts, such as how Danish fishermen regularly catch octopus in island waters and ship it to Italy and Greece, because no Danish culinary tradition or processing infrastructure exists for it. Similarly, Italian and Greek restaurants import comparable North Atlantic seafood at premium prices. So, while the product value that Danish coastal communities could capture is

used elsewhere, the culinary knowledge that Greek and Italian practitioners have about, for example, octopus preparation and presentation is exactly what Danish kitchens could benefit from.

From practice to policy: four frames for action The project’s 24 recommendations are organised around four interconnected frames that together describe what European seafood systems need to change. The first is adaptive governance. Quota systems designed for a different ecological era cannot accommodate species whose abundance is shifting with climate change. While cod allocations have dropped radically, available octopus, shore crab, and recovering lobster populations in Danish coastal waters have no commercial regulatory framework at all. The recommendations call for real-time adaptive quota systems, simplified EMFAF access pathways for micro-scale artisanal operators, and the integration of social sustainability indicators into the CFP Vision 2040 consultation—recognising that environmental regulations which are economically unviable for coastal fishing communities will not, in practice, be sustainable at all. The second frame is direct market infrastructure. Fisher-chef cooperative programmes, community-supported fishery models delivering weekly forgotten species boxes, digital supply chain platforms connecting landing sites to restaurant kitchens, and processing grants for emerging species—shore crab boiling equipment in Danish island communities, on-board processing capacity for smaller Italian and Greek vessels—are some of the ways to create a value chain. The third frame is culinary knowledge transfer. The project’s MOOC addresses four modules on basic marine biology and forgotten fish ecology; on tips to promote forgotten fish in dining and gastronomy; on fine dining practice

and culinary exercises; and on business models and fisher-restaurant synergies. The fourth frame is demand creation at scale. EU-wide labelling for forgotten fish, integration of underutilised species into public procurement for schools, hospitals, and old-age homes, consumer awareness campaigns rooted in provenance storytelling rather than sustainability lectures, and the establishment of a European Forgotten Fish Network as a low-cost transnational community of practice: these are the demand-side instruments that make the supply-side investments commercially viable.

A Danish story with European application Or course, one cannot just copy Ærø or Marstang Mad&Vin to other places. But what transfers is the concept. Let the season, climate, and place determine what is on the menu, use all of what arrives in the kitchen, and communicate its value to guests with the same confidence you would bring to any other dish. It’s a revitalising of the Italian cucina povera tradition. What the Forgotten Fish project has tried to build is the policy, educational, and market infrastructure that turns that relationship into a commercially sustainable food system. And tools—the MOOC, the micro-credential model, the 24-recommendation framework, the direct procurement agreement templates—are freely available from the project website. But the deeper lesson from Ærø and the project is about the relationship between a community and its marine environment. When that relationship is active—when the people living on a coast are curious about what the water around them actually produces—the conditions for forgotten fish practice already exist.

Lars Münter, Founder and International Director, Nordic Wellbeing Academy, lars@wellbeingacademy.dk Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

08_DENMARK (DK).indd 33

29/06/26 5:26 PM

fisheries WHAT HAS THE REFORM OF THE EU FISHERIES POLICY ACHIEVED SO FAR?

The direction is right, but the goal is still far away Marine biological resources have been managed and administered within the legal framework of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) since 1970. Since then, the CFP has been reformed several times to adapt it to changing needs and challenges. In April 2026, a European Commission working group reviewed and assessed the results of the last reform, which entered into force in 2014. The outcome is mixed; by no means have all objectives been achieved.

Manfred Klinkhardt

lmost everywhere in the world, fisheries and aquaculture face immense challenges. Key fish stocks are declining, fishing fleets are financially strained, and in some areas conditions are precarious. This creates major problems for policymakers. The same applies in the EU, which is seeking sustainability and trying to reconcile ecological, economic, and social concerns. Pressure to act is increasing further as a result of factors such as pollution, climate change, and growing competition for maritime space, for example from wind farms or the designation of protected areas. With the reform of the CFP based on Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, which entered into force in 2014, the EU tried to respond to these challenges with a package of new rules. Among the highlights were the mandatory maximum sustainable yield (MSY) approach for all managed fish stocks, a landing obligation to end discards, the strengthening of regionalised decision-making procedures, and the development of aquaculture. A European Commission working group has

Over the 11 years from 2014 to 2025 that the review of the CFP covers, the overall value of aquaculture in the EU has risen. This is not due to an increase in production, however, but a shift to higher value species and higher prices.

now examined which of these objectives were achieved in the eleven-year period from 2014 to 2025, since the

CFP Regulation entered into force, and where further action is needed. The staff working document for this

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

09-FISHERIES.indd 34

29/06/26 12:36 PM

fisheries evaluation was published at the end of April 2026 (Commission Staff Working Document, Brussels, 30.4.2026 SWD 120 final). The evaluation focused on whether the current CFP Regulation actually helps to ensure environmental sustainability and to achieve economic and social objectives in fisheries and aquaculture. The 2014 reform was aimed above all at rebuilding fish stocks and keeping them permanently at a healthy level through sustainable management. It was also intended to promote the sustainable growth of aquaculture so that, together with fisheries, it could contribute to food security. This set the course for the next steps in implementing the reform for the fisheries sector. Rebuilding fish stocks and ending overfishing would lead to better fishing opportunities and improve the profitability of fishing. It was assumed that the net profit margin would increase 3.5-fold by 2022. Coastal fisheries, in particular, were expected to benefit most from these changes. Measured against these expectations, the results so far are rather disappointing. Overfishing has declined, the share of sustainably fished stocks stood at only 50% in 2014 but had risen to 63% by 2022, but this is only part of the overall picture, as 21% of stocks showed increasing fishing mortality, indicating a continuing state of overexploitation. There was welcome progress in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) in which the EU participates. In tuna RFMOs, the share of commercially exploited tuna stocks not subject to overfishing rose from 43% in 2014 to 87% in 2024.

Discard ban only partly implemented One of the main aims of the CFP reform was the gradual elimination of discards in connection with the landing

espite a red ction in total fishing essel n ers in the there is still an i alance etween capacit and fishing opport nities in so e seg ents which dents profita ilit

obligation, which was introduced gradually from 2015 and has been mandatory since 1 January 2019. A 2025 study shows, however, that unwanted catches are still being discarded. There was a “high degree of variability in discard rates and no consistent trend was discernible”. Nor has it proved possible to introduce more selective fishing methods and gear in fisheries. The number of registered vessels in the EU fishing fleet fell by a total of 5,058 units between 2014 and 2023, a decline of 8.6%. At the same time, the average age of fishing vessels registered in the EU has risen steadily since 2014. In 2023, it stood at 34.8 years. In parallel, the number of newly built vessels has fallen over the past two decades, and the renewal rate is below 1%. Despite the reduction, many fleet segments in 2023 still showed an imbalance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities.

It is therefore hardly surprising that the net profit margin across all fleet segments fell from 8% in 2014 to 1% in 2023. This is far from the expected average net profit margin of around 18%. According to the evaluation, this is mainly due to higher energy costs, which account for a substantial share of operating expenditure. While the evaluation paints a mixed picture for the fisheries sector, the analysis of the aquaculture sector is predominantly disappointing. There have been some successes in terms of the sector’s environmental sustainability, but production volume has grown by a meagre 2%. The 104% increase in the net profit of EU aquaculture, from EUR 388.8 million in 2014 to EUR 793.8 million in 2022, also gives a misleading impression, since this rise is not the result of higher production volumes but mainly of a shift towards higher-value fish species combined with higher

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

09-FISHERIES.indd 35

29/06/26 12:36 PM

fisheries selling prices. Across the EU, around 13,855 companies and micro-enterprises operate in the aquaculture sector, with production focused on freshwater fish and shellfish. The total number of employees has remained largely stable since 2016, but the proportion of young people has fallen sharply. This trend points to the sector’s reduced attractiveness and an ageing workforce. Nominal wage growth has not kept pace with inflation, leading to a decline in real purchasing power. Average wages in aquaculture have risen from EUR 24,070 in 2013 to EUR 25,800 in 2022, but this amounted to only around 72% of the general EU average.

Competitive disadvantages for Europe Further reasons for the stagnation of EU aquaculture are slow licensing procedures and restricted access to suitable sites. The evaluation report nevertheless says that progress has been made in granting authorisations since 2021. Two thirds of Member States had taken measures to coordinate regulatory and administrative management systems for aquaculture and to digitalise licensing processes. Even so, the total number of newly granted authorisations has declined. Only Germany, Lithuania, and Portugal recorded increases. With a share of only 2% of world production, the EU is a relatively small producer of fisheries and aquaculture products by global standards. EU vessel landings reached 3.39 million tonnes in 2023, worth EUR 6.14 billion, a 22% decline in volume since 2014, and the lowest level in a decade. The gap with the major Asian producers is steadily widening. Nevertheless, the EU remains the fourth-largest market for fisheries and aquaculture products, after China, India, and Indonesia. Owing to falling

domestic landings and stagnating aquaculture, which together cover only 38% of the EU’s need for aquatic foods, dependence on imports of fish and seafood has increased significantly. In 2023, apparent consumption of fisheries and aquaculture products in the EU reached 10.25 million tonnes, equivalent to 22.89 kg per capita, a 7% decline compared with 2014. Since Brexit, the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU, challenges in the EU fish industry have become more acute. Only one fifth of managed stocks now fall under the exclusive competence of the EU. This and numerous other geopolitical changes have meant that many stocks have since had to be managed jointly with third countries. The EU’s top priority is always sustainability in the use of marine biological resources. EU representatives therefore try, in negotiations with third countries, to work towards this objective and towards high environmental and social standards. Because not all efforts are successful, difficult compromises sometimes have to be accepted, as the EU’s 3,245 fish processing companies, which together generate EUR 33.5 billion, depend heavily on imported raw materials. Spain leads in this area, followed by Italy, France, and Poland.

Rising prices curb consumers’ appetite to buy Since 2014, retail prices for fisheries and aquaculture products have risen continuously at an average annual rate of 3.8% from 2015 to 2024, corresponding to an overall increase of 41.5% since 2015. This is slightly less than the increase in general food prices, which stood at 44%, but it still had a strong influence on customers’ purchasing decisions. Many noticeably reduced their fish consumption, which in turn affected the profitability of fishing,

aquaculture, and processing businesses. This reduced their ability and willingness to invest in modernising and renewing their technology. Some equipment has since come to be regarded as technologically outdated and less competitive than that of their global competitors. This undermines economic resilience to external shocks and uncertainties. The evaluation shows that the last reform of the CFP has by no means solved all the problems addressed. New challenges have already been added. One example is invasive alien species, which are spreading in many marine areas and threatening native flora and fauna. Fisheries management finds it difficult to take adequate account of these non-fisheries pressures. Aquaculture is also being severely affected by external factors. In the Mediterranean, for example, many mussel stocks and farms are suffering heavy losses as a result of invasive blue crabs. The warming of the seas due to climate change is displacing some fish species from their traditional distribution areas, which severely restricts fishing opportunities for local fisheries. The expansion of offshore wind farms and the designation of marine protected areas have the same effect. The management of limited marine spaces therefore requires stronger political cooperation and coordination already during the planning stages. With the European Ocean Pact and the forthcoming European Ocean Act, EU policy is trying to take account of these changes. The evaluation’s conclusion is sobering. The catching sector continues to face difficulties because of the state of fish stocks, it says. EU aquaculture is largely profitable but relatively small, which has so far prevented significant production growth. Instead, production volumes are stagnating or even declining. Fisheries and aquaculture therefore make only a moderate contribution to food security, quite unlike what the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation originally intended. Manfred Klinkhardt

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

09-FISHERIES.indd 36

29/06/26 12:36 PM

fisheries

Whales face various environmental pressures Whaling has been part of human coastal life for a very long time. Early hunts were typically local and seasonal, supplying meat for food and blubber for oil, while baleen and other tissues were used in tools and household items. Today the pressures on whales are more from the environment than from hunting which is carried out by just a handful of nations.

Vestfoldmuseene/Georg Bentze

n the North Atlantic and the North Pacific, including Arctic regions, whaling became embedded in community practices and, in some places, ceremonial life. From the late medieval period onwards, European ventures expanded the scale of whaling, with Basque crews often highlighted as among the pioneers of organised commercial operations in the Atlantic. As the centuries progressed, whaling shifted from nearshore activity into longer voyages, driven by trade in oil and baleen products. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, whaling had become a global enterprise. Sailing ships from Europe and North America pursued sperm whales and right whales across the Atlantic and into the Pacific. The pattern that emerged was one of expansion followed by scarcity: as whales became less common near familiar grounds, fleets travelled farther and stayed longer at sea. This “search and move on” dynamic laid the groundwork for the most damaging period of whaling, which arrived with industrialisation. In the twentieth century, technological change transformed whaling’s impact on whale populations. Steam power and explosive harpoon technology increased the speed and success rate of hunts.

Whale carcasses aboard a factory vessel prior to being processed. The image is from the 1950s.

Factory ships and at-sea processing reduced the need to return to port, allowing fleets to exploit remote waters for extended periods, including the Southern Ocean. These developments enabled intensive harvesting of large whale species, which reproduce slowly and recover over long timeframes.

Scientific understanding of population dynamics improved during this period, but governance struggled to keep pace with industrial capacity. As a result, several stocks were heavily reduced, and the industry often shifted pressure from one species to another as scarcity increased.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

09-FISHERIES.indd 37

29/06/26 12:36 PM

National Library of Norway/Magnus Berg

fisheries

A whale being skinned manually at the Skjelnan whaling station, Norway in 1952.

The International Whaling Commission The principal attempt to create a durable international framework came after the Second World War. In 1946, fifteen governments signed the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, establishing the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The Convention framed whaling as an international matter requiring common rules, and it set out a dual purpose: conserving whale stocks and, by doing so, enabling the orderly development of the whaling industry. That founding balance continues to shape how different parties interpret the Commission’s role. The IWC’s authority rests on the Convention and its legally binding Schedule. The Schedule is the

practical rulebook: it sets catch limits and defines where, and how, whaling may take place. It can be amended without reopening the Convention, which allows rules to evolve as scientific assessments change. Each member government appoints a Commissioner with a vote. Routine decisions can be taken by majority, while amendments to the Schedule require a higher threshold, which was intended to encourage broad agreement on the most consequential measures. The Convention also contains an “objection” procedure, under which a government may formally object to a Schedule amendment within a defined period, thereby limiting the amendment’s applicability to that government. Science is central to the IWC’s functioning. The Scientific Committee assesses whale stocks and advises on management approaches,

including sustainable catch calculations, where relevant. Over time, the Commission’s agenda has also widened beyond direct catch regulation to include conservation questions affecting whales more generally, reflecting changing public priorities and the growth of non-consumptive uses such as whale watching.

A moratorium with derogations The IWC’s most consequential decision was the adoption of a pause in commercial whaling, agreed in 1982 and taking effect from the 1985/1986 season. Often referred to as the commercial whaling moratorium, it set commercial catch limits at zero under the IWC Schedule. The moratorium did not eliminate all whaling. Under

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

09-FISHERIES.indd 38

29/06/26 12:37 PM

Arctic University Museum of Norway/Henry Olsen

fisheries

Whale hunting today is governed by the International Whaling Commission and only a small number of counties actually hunt these cetaceans.

the IWC framework, aboriginal subsistence whaling is permitted for certain indigenous communities under conditions intended to meet nutritional and cultural needs while maintaining sustainability. The Convention also provides for “special permit” whaling, where national authorities issue permits for research purposes, with the IWC’s Scientific Committee providing scrutiny. As debates intensified, the Commission also adopted sanctuary measures in certain regions, reflecting a stronger protection-oriented current within the membership. At the same time, some whaling nations argued for a return to regulated commercial whaling under updated scientific tools and strict compliance measures. In that context, the IWC adopted the Revised Management Procedure in the 1990s as a method for setting catch

limits designed to be precautionary in the face of uncertainty. However, reaching agreement on the broader package of monitoring and inspection proved difficult, and the moratorium remained the default position within the IWC framework.

Today commercial whaling is limited and shows divergent approaches Commercial whaling today is conducted by a small number of states, and in uneven ways. Norway conducts whaling under an objection to the moratorium, setting national quotas for common minke whales. Actual catches have often been below quotas, which

is commonly linked to market demand and fleet economics. Iceland has issued licences for fin whales, and, at times, minke whales, yet hunting activity has fluctuated, and recent seasons have been marked by uncertainty, including decisions by major operators not to hunt in consecutive summers despite holding permits. Japan’s position changed fundamentally after its withdrawal from the IWC. Japan announced its intention to leave in December 2018, and the withdrawal took effect on 30 June 2019. Japan resumed commercial whaling from July 2019 under national regulation, focusing hunting in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. Supporters of Japan’s approach argue that it reflects the Convention’s original premise of sustainable use within a science-based framework. Critics argue that withdrawal reduces the scope for

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

09-FISHERIES.indd 39

29/06/26 12:37 PM

fisheries international oversight and weakens cooperative management, even if national regulation remains in place. Japan has also invested in operational capacity, including a new factory ship introduced in 2024, intended to process and freeze catches at sea. This has prompted further debate about the future scale of Japan’s programme, including how far vessels might range, and which species are targeted. In 2024, Japan also moved to expand commercial hunting to include fin whales, a large whale species whose historical depletion is central to modern conservation narratives. The policy debate around this decision illustrates a broader pattern: discussions tend to focus on stock status and the robustness of scientific assessments, alongside the welfare implications of hunting methods.

Whale meat is consumed by humans as well as used for petfood Where whale meat is sold, it is generally a niche product. In Japan, it is often discussed as a small part of overall meat consumption, with demand supported by limited retail channels and some restaurants, alongside public messaging that frames whaling as culturally significant. In Norway, consumer surveys cited in the background material indicate low levels of frequent consumption, and the economics of the sector appear sensitive to price and demand shifts. When supply exceeds demand for direct human consumption, whale meat can be diverted into other outlets, including pet food. Iceland’s experience, where the viability of hunting has been linked to export conditions, underlines how dependent commercial whaling can be

on a small number of buyers and on price movements within those outlets. This economic fragility is one reason some analysts expect commercial whaling to remain limited, even where it is legally permitted. The niche character of whale meat markets has not prevented fraud. Reported cases include mislabelling of species, including substitution with protected cetaceans, as well as smuggling across borders where trade is restricted. Fraud can also involve marketing whale meat as other products, exploiting the fact that processing can remove visible identifiers. Because of these challenges, enforcement increasingly relies on DNA-based species identification, supported by documentation and traceability requirements. Certain cetacean tissues can contain contaminants such as mercury and persistent organic pollutants. When products are mislabelled, consumers may not receive appropriate guidance, and authorities may struggle to assess risk, especially if the species and origin are unclear. These concerns apply to human consumption, and they may also be relevant where whale meat is used in animal feed.

Whale watching is displacing whaling Looking ahead, several pressures are likely to shape whaling’s trajectory. The first is governance. The IWC remains the central forum for international discussion, and it continues to regulate aboriginal subsistence whaling and to provide scientific assessment. However, the use of objections and differing interpretations of the Convention’s purpose have made consensus on commercial whaling difficult, and withdrawals have added to this challenge. The second pressure is economics. Evidence of limited demand

in some markets, alongside reports of unsold meat and reliance on subsidies, suggests that commercial whaling may face long-term constraints, even without new legal restrictions. Investment in capacity, as in Japan, points to the opposite possibility, namely that a state may seek to stabilise or expand its programme where it believes there is a domestic rationale and an acceptable scientific basis. A further pressure is welfare and public acceptance. Concerns about time-to-death and the practical challenges of monitoring hunts at sea have become more prominent in policy discussions. At the same time, whale watching and broader marine conservation agendas have strengthened the non-consumptive value attached to whales, influencing public opinion and tourism policy in many coastal regions. Even as whaling declines, whales remain exposed to serious human-driven pressures: entanglement in lost or abandoned fishing gear, plastic ingestion, toxic chemicals accumulating in blubber that can affect immunity and reproduction, and underwater noise that disrupts communication, feeding, and navigation. These impacts can be intensified by climate-driven changes in prey availability, alongside vessel strikes and habitat degradation. In practice, the most plausible near-term outlook is continued divergence: strong protection policies within the IWC framework, limited commercial whaling under a small number of national regimes, with ongoing scrutiny of market demand and welfare, alongside trade integrity. Neutral analysis depends on transparent data and clear traceability, because these are the foundations for evaluating sustainability claims, enforcing rules, and enabling informed public debate. Eva Kovacs, Eurofish, eva@eurofish.dk

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

09-FISHERIES.indd 40

29/06/26 12:37 PM

ireland

Ireland’s aquaculture sector is decarbonising Aquaculture has become a strategically important component of Ireland’s “blue economy,” producing seafood such as salmon, mussels, and oysters while supporting rural coastal livelihoods. By 2024, the sector produced almost 38,500 tonnes of farmed seafood annually, generating over €200 million in value and supporting more than 1,800 jobs.

ike other food production systems, aquaculture in Ireland is under increasing pressure to address its environmental footprint—particularly energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. EU and Irish climate policy frameworks, including the European Green Deal and Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, are accelerating the need for decarbonisation and energy transition across marine industries.

Moving to alternative energy sources is challenging in many ways The energy transition in Irish aquaculture therefore refers to the shift from fossil-fuel-dependent operations toward more energy-efficient practices and the adoption of renewable and low-carbon energy systems. This transition is complex, involving technological, economic, and governance challenges. Aquaculture operations require energy for feeding systems, aeration, pumping, monitoring, processing, and transport. Offshore and intensive aquaculture installations tend to be particularly energy intensive. Across the EU, fisheries and aquaculture remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels,

The aquaculture sector in Ireland is progressing gradually towards replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy.

especially diesel, which exposes the sector to fuel price volatility and contributes to emissions. Although Irish aquaculture is often described as a relatively low-carbon food production system compared to livestock or crop agriculture, emissions still occur across the full value chain—from feed production and farm operations to processing and distribution. Ireland has begun to quantify emissions through studies such as the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) carbon footprint report. This work identifies energy use as a key component of emissions and highlights “hotspots” across aquaculture and seafood supply chains. While the

overall seafood sector contributes only a small share of global emissions (around 4% of food-related emissions), decarbonisation is essential to reach Ireland’s national target of reducing emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050.

Policy frameworks for more sustainable aquaculture abound Ireland’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 2030

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

10_IRELAND (IE).indd 41

27/06/26 3:46 PM

ireland emphasises reducing environmental impact and minimising carbon footprint while enabling sector growth. The plan aligns with wider marine and climate policies, including: the Climate Action Plan (net-zero target by 2050) and the National Marine Planning Framework and Maritime Area Planning Act (MAPA). However, research suggests that regulatory frameworks governing aquaculture may not yet fully integrate sustainability and energy transition goals, limiting progress. At European level, the energy transition is guided by the European Green Deal and aquaculture strategy for 2021– 2030, which emphasise decarbonisation of food systems, transition to renewable energy, improved energy efficiency and climate resilience. In addition, the EU’s Energy Transition Initiative proposes to reduce fuel intensity (e.g. 15% reduction target by 2030), adopt alternative fuels such as electricity, biofuels, and hydrogen and invest in innovation, skills, and financing mechanisms. One of the most significant areas of progress is in innovation-driven energy solutions. Projects in Ireland and across Europe are exploring how renewable energy systems can power aquaculture operations, particularly offshore farms. A notable Irish example is the WEC4FISH project, which investigates the use of wave energy converters to supply electricity to offshore aquaculture systems. This approach aims to replace diesel generators and integrate energy generation with aquaculture infrastructure. Other emerging technologies include solar-powered monitoring systems, hybrid energy solutions combining batteries and renewables, and electrification of equipment and feeding systems. Such innovations demonstrate the feasibility of low-carbon aquaculture, particularly in offshore locations where grid access is limited. In the short to medium term, the most widespread progress lies in energy efficiency improvements, including optimisation of feeding regimes,

improved equipment efficiency, digital monitoring systems for energy use and reduced fuel consumption in transport and logistics. EU policy emphasises these measures as the most immediate pathway to reducing energy demand and emissions.

Support to decarbonise is available from EU and national sources The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) plays a central role in supporting the energy transition. In Ireland, schemes such as the Aquaculture Capital Investment Scheme provide funding for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon technologies. These funding streams are critical for enabling small and medium aquaculture enterprises to invest in decarbonisation. BIM has developed sustainability frameworks and reporting tools that help companies measure and improve environmental performance. The Irish aquaculture sector has shown strong uptake of innovation, with high levels of engagement in process improvements and new technologies. There is also increasing adoption of certification schemes, organic aquaculture practices and circular economy approaches (e.g. waste recycling). Despite progress, several structural and operational challenges continue to slow the transition. Energy transition technologies often involve high upfront costs. Many Irish aquaculture enterprises are small-scale and operate in remote coastal areas, limiting access to capital and infrastructure. This makes decentralised renewable energy solutions (e.g. wave, solar, hybrid systems) necessary but technically challenging. Rising energy costs also increase operational pressure, especially where reliance on diesel remains high. During the recent energy crisis energy costs became a

major share of expenses, exacerbating vulnerability to price fluctuations.

Technical and administrative barriers slow progress In addition, many low-carbon energy technologies are still in early development or not yet commercially viable for aquaculture. For example, hydrogen systems and advanced batteries are not widely deployed, offshore renewable integration requires complex engineering, and electrification is limited by grid connectivity issues. This creates uncertainty for businesses considering investments. Ireland’s aquaculture sector is often criticised for complex and slow licensing processes. In addition, policy frameworks for aquaculture and renewable energy are not always fully aligned. Aquaculture has not been fully integrated into marine spatial planning systems. Therefore, legal and administrative barriers can delay new projects. These governance issues can hinder both sector expansion and the implementation of energy transition projects. While energy transition focuses on carbon reduction, aquaculture must also address broader environmental issues, including water pollution and eutrophication, biodiversity impacts and disease and chemical use. These issues can complicate sustainability strategies, as reducing energy use alone does not ensure overall environmental performance. The aquaculture energy transition requires new technical skills in renewable energy systems, data analytics and digital monitoring and engineering and maintenance. There is a recognised need to develop workforce capacity to support these changes, which is being addressed through EU and national initiatives but remains a constraint.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

10_IRELAND (IE).indd 42

27/06/26 3:46 PM

ireland More efficient use of energy also contributes to decarbonisation In general, the trajectory of energy transition in Irish aquaculture is broadly positive but gradual. Several trends are likely to shape the future, for example, Ireland’s growing offshore wind and marine energy sectors present opportunities for co-location and shared infrastructure with aquaculture. This could significantly reduce energy costs and emissions while enhancing spatial efficiency. In addition, land-based and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are emerging as alternatives that allow greater control over energy use and emissions. Although energy-intensive, they can be powered

by renewable electricity and integrated into circular systems. Furthermore, smart farming technologies will improve energy efficiency through real-time monitoring, automation and predictive analytics. These tools will help optimise resource use and reduce emissions across operations. However, continued EU support, particularly through the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) initiative combined with national strategies, is required to accelerate investment in clean technologies, improve regulatory frameworks and enhance coordination between stakeholders. Overall, Irish aquaculture benefits from relatively low baseline emissions compared to other food systems, strong policy support, and growing innovation capacity. Significant progress is being made through, energy efficiency

improvements, renewable energy pilot projects and funding mechanisms and sustainability initiatives. However, major challenges remain, including high costs and limited access to finance, technological and infrastructure barriers and governance complexity and policy gaps. To achieve a fully decarbonised aquaculture sector, Ireland will need to scale up innovation, improve integration with renewable energy systems and streamline regulatory frameworks. The transition is not only essential for climate targets but also for enhancing the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the Irish seafood industry in a low-carbon global economy. Julie Maguire, Research Director, Bantry Marine Research Station Ltd, julie.maguire@bmrs.ie

Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries research at the University of Galway At the University of Galway, Ireland, researchers in the Aquaculture and Nutrition Research Unit (ANRU), work with national and international partners to develop solutions that improve sustainability, animal welfare, environmental monitoring, climate resilience, and supply chain transparency in aquaculture and fisheries. The research currently underway aims to further address these critical gaps by advancing innovative, evidence-based solutions throughout the seafood value chain.

reland has one of the largest marine areas in Europe relative to its landmass, providing significant opportunities for sustainable aquaculture development.

10_IRELAND (IE).indd 43

Its Atlantic coastline is characterised by clean, cold, nutrient-rich waters that support the production of premium seafood, including salmon, oysters, mussels and seaweed. Different coastal

regions offer distinct advantages, from exposed Atlantic coastal waters suitable for salmon and seaweed cultivation to more sheltered bays that support shellfish farming.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

27/06/26 3:46 PM

SAFE Project

ireland

Redworms fed on duckweed were among several novel feed ingredients that were tested by researchers at the University of Galway as part of the SAFE project.

As demand for seafood grows, aquaculture is increasingly recognised as an important source of sustainable food production. However, the sector faces ongoing environmental challenges, including impacts on biodiversity, fish welfare, disease management, and resource use. Climate change is increasing this pressure, with rising sea temperatures affecting marine ecosystems by increasing the risk of jellyfish blooms, sea lice, and diseases such as Amoebic Gill Disease in farmed salmon.

Improving animal welfare and seafood transport The ANRU research team is working within the TRACE project, which aims to improve animal welfare and survival in highvalue liveseafood transport. Long-distance transport is essential for supplying European and global markets, yet it can induce stress, reduce survival and compromise product quality. TRACE (funded under the

PeacePlus programme) is implementing advanced digital technologies, including computer vision, hyperspectral imaging, IoT sensors, and blockchain traceability, to monitor real-time conditions during transport and identify practical ways to improve animal welfare across the supply chain. The research also investigates the molecular, physiological, and environmental drivers of transport-induced stress, addressing major knowledge gaps to make science-based recommendations for reducing waste, preventing spoilage, and enhancing product quality.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

10_IRELAND (IE).indd 44

27/06/26 3:46 PM

ireland Enhancing transparency in the seafood sector The SMART4SEA (funded by Atlantic Area) project focuses on boosting environmental traceability in the Atlantic seafood sector. SMART4SEA brings together partners from Spain, France, Ireland and Portugal to strengthen sea-to-fork transparency and consumer engagement across the Atlantic area. The project aims to build trust across the seafood supply chain by implementing digital technologies, life-cycle assessments, circular-economy strategies and stakeholder collaboration. It also addresses wider social and environmental challenges, including marine waste and microplastics, while providing transparent, reliable information to support sustainable decisions by fishermen, processors, policymakers and consumers. The role of the university is to identify the sources, pathways, and mitigation strategies of marine plastic pollution, and to quantify seafood loss and waste within the seafood supply chain to recommend circulareconomy solutions.

Digital transformation within aquaculture DigiATLA (funded under Interreg Atlantic Area) is a transnational initiative driving digital transformation in Atlantic aquaculture by fostering capacity building in sustainable aquaculture and precision nutrition technologies. The project aims to create high-quality digital training resources that equip professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and increase sustainability. Its key outputs include comprehensive digital

training programs supported by an online repository, pilot demonstrations showcasing industry technologies, and awareness initiatives promoting digital adoption across the sector. The Moult Project, funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme, is being carried out at the Carna Research Station and the Ryan Institute, which is Ireland’s leading centre for aquaculture research and development, located in south-west Connemara. With direct access to the Atlantic coastline, the station provides an ideal base for experimental work in dynamic marine ecosystems. The project focuses on understanding the moulting triggers of the European lobster and modelling how climate-driven temperature changes may influence moulting patterns in the future. The project aims to improve predictions of climate impacts and inform sustainable management strategies for this commercially and ecologically important species.

Development of circular aquaculture feeds The SAFE project (funded under the Horizon Europe programme) aims to revitalise freshwater aquaculture in the EU by demonstrating a circular-economy model that lowers emissions, protects biodiversity and supports local production of sustainable feed ingredients. The project aims to reduce environmental pressures and enhance the sector’s economic resilience by transforming freshwater aquaculture’s solid and liquid waste streams into valuable resources. To ensure these innovations can be adopted in practice, SAFE will conduct a series of demonstrations across Europe to show how circular solutions can be applied at both the local and regional scales. The project will also identify the management

and governance conditions needed to support successful transferability, enabling wider uptake across the EU aquaculture landscape. The University of Galway plays a key role in this project by conducting feeding trials on perch and salmon in Ireland. These trials test a range of novel alternative feed ingredients, including mealworms, red worms, mushroom stalks, freshwater microalgae, and other circular-economy-derived ingredients. Through these studies, the University of Galway helps assess the performance, sustainability and feasibility of innovative feed formulations, contributing essential data to support the project’s broader circulareconomy approach.

Regenerative seaweed cultivation Óir na Farraige (funded under EIT Foods) is a regenerative ocean-farming project designed to scale seaweed cultivation for emerging bio-based industries. The project aims to introduce the first industrial-scale seaweed cultivation system in Irish waters, focusing on enhancing marine biodiversity while developing commercially viable supply chains to support coastal economies. ANRU will assess the ecosystem services generated by the farm and conduct life cycle assessments (LCAs) to validate its viability as a regenerative aquaculture model. They have been monitoring the temporal changes in pelagic and demersal fish communities across the pilot site at Bantry Bay Farm using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV). The biodiversity data collected will be integrated into LCA to identify cost and emissions hotspots and establish a baseline for the future of nature credit programmes. Phoebe Mason and Alex Wan, University of Galway, Ireland, alex.wan@universityofgalway.ie

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

10_IRELAND (IE).indd 45

27/06/26 3:46 PM

aquaculture PATHWAYS TO CLIMATE NEUTRALITY IN EU AQUACULTURE

Carbon neutrality is within reach—but it is not easy Legislative demands to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are getting stricter. All sectors of the economy must contribute—including aquaculture. A recent report from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency shows that targets can be met, but it will call for significant efforts.

went two percent of all the ﬁsh prod ced etween 200 and 202 ca e fro prod ction technolog issions fro cages at 0 were also the highest

he European aquaculture sector operates within an increasingly ambitious climate policy framework. The European Green Deal, introduced

cages,

in 2019, sets out a roadmap to transform the European Union into a climate-neutral economy by 2050. This ambition has been legally enshrined through the European Climate Law. Intermediate

ore than fro

an other ﬁsh

targets have also been strengthened. Under the Effort Sharing Regulation, Member States are required to achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, compared to

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

11_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 46

27/06/26 3:54 PM

aquaculture

ish fro ponds left and racewa s right represented and were responsi le for 20 and 0 of the e issions respecti el

2005 levels. More recently, the European Commission proposed a 90% reduction by 2040, further tightening the pathway to climate neutrality. Although aquaculture accounts for a relatively modest share of total emissions—estimated at around 2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019 (0.05% of total EU GHG emissions)—it is nonetheless expected to contribute to these reductions. Reaching climate neutrality in EU aquaculture by 2050 is technically achievable, but only under specific conditions. Even with widespread adoption of available technologies, the sector will continue to generate residual emissions— particularly from feed production, energy use, and transport. As a result, carbon offsetting will remain a necessary component of any credible pathway. A recent study, commissioned by CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency), examining decarbonisation options across European aquaculture shows that no single solution is sufficient to achieving net zero by 2050. Instead, a combination of measures—ranging from alternative feeds and renewable energy to digitalisation and integrated production systems—must be implemented simultaneously. Even then, progress will depend heavily on developments outside the sector, especially in

ac lt re prod ction fro

agriculture and fisheries, which supply key inputs such as feed. The analysis also highlights that meeting interim climate targets for 2030 and 2040 will be challenging. Many of the most promising technologies are not yet ready for large-scale deployment, and investment costs remain significant. Nevertheless, the study confirms that progress is possible, provided that policy support, innovation, and supply chain coordination are aligned.

Mapping emissions across the value chain A central component of the study is the development of a harmonised emissions inventory covering the period 2005–2024. This database spans five production systems—cages, ponds, raceways, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and non-fed systems—and includes all major species farmed in the EU with the exception of macroalgae. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) data, emissions were calculated per tonne of live weight within a cradle-togate framework. The analysis breaks emissions down along the value chain, including feed production, transport, onfarm energy use, and, where relevant,

200 to 202 and

vessel operations. Because data are uneven across species and countries, the study uses proxy data and modelling adjustments to ensure comparability. NonEU datasets were incorporated where necessary, with corrections applied to reflect European energy mixes and production conditions. This approach makes it possible to identify where emissions are concentrated—and, crucially, where reductions can be most effectively achieved.

Exploring alternative futures To assess how the sector might evolve, the study develops a set of eight scenarios, each representing a different combination of policy ambition, technological uptake, and investment intensity. At one end of the spectrum is a business-as-usual scenario, assuming no significant change. At the other extreme are high-ambition scenarios that fully deploy all available technologies, including renewable energy, alternative feeds, and advanced digital tools. Intermediate scenarios explore more gradual or cost-conscious transitions, as well as the role of carbon offsetting.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

11_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 47

27/06/26 3:54 PM

aquaculture Across all scenarios, a consistent message emerges: isolated measures deliver only limited benefits. Meaningful reductions require a combination of interventions, including improvements in feed composition, greater energy efficiency, the adoption of renewable energy, and the expansion of low-impact production systems such as non-fed aquaculture and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA).

What will it cost? Decarbonisation comes at a cost, and these costs vary widely depending on the chosen pathway and production system. Using a marginal abatement cost (MAC) approach, the study estimates the cost per tonne of CO2 equivalent avoided. Across the different scenarios, average abatement costs range from approximately €69 to €574 per tonne CO2 equivalent, depending on the production system. Over the full period (2026-2050), the overall average abatement cost is €220 per tonne. These figures reflect both technological maturity and economies of scale over time. Significant differences also emerge between production systems. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) show relatively low abatement costs, reflecting their high degree of control and efficiency. Pond systems also perform relatively well. By contrast, non-fed systems—despite their low baseline emissions—show higher marginal costs for further reductions, as fewer mitigation options are available. These findings underline that decarbonisation strategies must be tailored to specific production contexts rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Listening to the sector Beyond technical modelling, the study incorporates input from industry stakeholders through surveys, interviews,

and focus groups. This provides valuable insight into how different measures are perceived across the sector. The results reveal broad support for measures such as energy efficiency improvements and digitalisation, which are seen as both practical and cost-effective. However, more ambitious or capital-intensive options—such as large-scale shifts in feed ingredients or infrastructure—are viewed with greater caution. Regulatory complexity and uncertainty also emerge as key concerns. Producers emphasise the need for clearer frameworks, more predictable permitting processes, and targeted financial support to facilitate investment. These perspectives highlight that successful decarbonisation depends not only on technical feasibility but also on economic realities and stakeholder acceptance.

The role of offsetting One of the clearest findings of the study is that emission reductions alone will not be sufficient to achieve climate neutrality. Even under the most ambitious scenarios, residual emissions remain. Two factors explain this. First, certain emissions—linked to energy systems, transport, and infrastructure—cannot be fully eliminated with current technologies. Second, aquaculture depends on inputs from other sectors, notably feed derived from agriculture and fisheries, which themselves generate emissions. As a result, carbon offsetting is unavoidable. This may include measures such as ecosystem restoration, carbon sequestration projects, or the purchase of verified carbon credits. The need for offsetting varies over time. In the short to medium term, reliance on offsetting is expected to be higher, as technological solutions scale up. Over the longer term, as cleaner technologies become more widely available, the relative importance of offsetting may decline—but it will not disappear entirely.

A systemic challenge This study is based on the premise that the aquaculture sector has to abate scope 1 (direct emissions), scope 2 (purchased energy with emissions decreasing to 2050) and scope 3 emissions (feed production and feed transport). This is not to say that the costs related to reducing these emissions should be borne by the aquaculture sector alone, and indeed under the climate law the responsibility to reduce emissions falls to the relevant sector. Under this premise, the target of carbon neutral aquaculture can only be reached if offsetting measures are taken. Carbon offsetting remains the subject of ongoing debate, particularly with regard to credibility, additionality, and certification standards. The EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulation (EU/2024/3012) seeks to address these concerns by establishing a voluntary framework for certifying carbon removal and storage activities. Although aquaculture-based removals are not currently included, producers can participate in broader carbon markets to compensate for emissions that cannot be reduced directly. To conclude, the EU aim to expand aquaculture production to strengthen food security, reduce reliance on imports, and support marine ecosystem health, while at the same time achieving carbon neutrality is demanding. It will require coordinated policy support at EU and Member State levels, sustained efforts to reduce emissions across the entire supply chain, and—at least in the medium term—the strategic use of offsetting mechanisms. The full study report is available at: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/publications/ digital-publications/study-eu-aquaculture-greenhouse-gas-reduction-costsand-pathways-net-zero-2050_en#files Sander van den Burg, Pham Thi Anh Ngoc, Simona Paolacci, Callum Howard

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

11_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 48

27/06/26 3:54 PM

aquaculture Innovative design used to farm greater amberjack in RAS A new land-based farm has commenced commercial scale production of greater amberjack in a recirculating aquaculture system. Alicante Aquaculture has built its business around this high-value species that is well known to chefs but so far overwhelmingly as wild-caught.

he tanks are designed as concentric rings thro gh which the fish will o e fro the inner to the o ter as the gain in size the constr ction sa es space it tends to red ce fle i ilit as the fish do not grow at the sa e rate

licante Aquaculture, the first farm developed by the parent company, Global Aquaculture, farms greater amberjack (Seriola

11_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 49

dumerili) in a land-based RAS located in the port of Alicante. The company positions its fish, sold under the brand Seriola Ibérica, somewhere between salmon and bluefin tuna. It is aimed

hile

less at retail shelves than at high-end restaurants looking for a fresh, premium fish with the texture, fat content, and culinary versatility demanded by sushi and Mediterranean cuisine.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

27/06/26 3:55 PM

aquaculture

he s ste can prod ce 600 tonnes of ﬁsh in a o t ,000 s

A first for Alicante and for Spain Eloy Meseguer Hernández, chief operating officer of Global Aquaculture, says the decision to farm greater amberjack rather than yellowtail amberjack (Seriola lalandi) was shaped by both regulation and market preference. The former occurs naturally in Spanish Mediterranean waters, while farming the latter would require additional authorisations because it is not native to Spain. The company is in fact applying for permission to grow yellowtail on land as a possible additional species, but its present focus remains greater amberjack. According to Mr Meseguer, market soundings in Asia, the Middle East, the United States, and Europe also

pointed towards a preference for greater amberjack, known in Japan as kanpachi (while yellowtail is often associated with hamachi). Most marine farms in Spain produce seabass, seabream, bluefin tuna, turbot, and sole. Greater amberjack has been farmed in cages in the Mediterranean, including in Greece, Turkey and, until recently, Spain, but volumes remain small. Mr Meseguer says some cage producers have struggled with winter conditions and parasites when water temperatures fall below about 18 degrees C. Alicante Aquaculture’s answer is to move the fish ashore, where temperature, water quality, diseases, and health parameters can be completely controlled. The company’s farm covers about 7,200 square metres in the port of Alicante. Mr Meseguer says the investment was around EUR15m and gives the facility an initial production capacity of 600 tonnes a year, with plans to expand to 900 tonnes. The site is among the first land-based farms for this species and contains four circular grow-out tanks with a combined water volume of 6,500 cubic metres and a capacity for 200,000 fish. The tanks are arranged differently from the typical pattern of separate round tanks. To maximise space and optimise the use of resources, the system has been designed as a series of concentric rings, through which the fish move as they grow through a system of gates between the rings. Fingerlings enter the first ring at around 10 g. After approximately three months, when they reach about 200 g, a gate is opened and the batch moves to the next ring. The process repeats as the fish reach 600 to 700 g, then 1 to 1.5 kg, before entering the outermost ring for grow-out to market size. New fingerlings can then be stocked in the first ring, giving the farm four batches a year and allowing harvests of about 150 tonnes every three months once production reaches steady state.

Farming is about trade-offs The structure is designed save space. Mr Meseguer says the system was envisaged to produce 600 tonnes of fish in about 7,000 square metres, while matching each stage of growth with equipment sized to the biomass in that section. In a conventional design, he argues, parts of the system can be over-dimensioned for much of the cycle because they must be able to cope with the final biomass. The ring design reduces that inefficiency, but it creates a different management problem. Batches do not all grow at exactly the same pace, and market demand can shift towards larger fish. If the third ring is ready to move, the fourth ring must be empty. That limits flexibility, particularly if customers ask for fish above the main three-kilo target. For now, the commercial target is a fish of about 3 kg after roughly one year of grow-out. The company sees potential in larger fish of 5 kg to 6 kg, which Mr Meseguer describes as a smaller but more profitable market. Reaching that size would require additional time and dedicated tank space. Alicante Aquaculture is therefore seeking more land in the port to add large tanks for fish destined for these larger sizes. In winter, the incoming seawater in Alicante can be around 16 degrees C, so the farm heats it to about 22 degrees C. In summer, when Mediterranean seawater can reach 26 to 28 degrees C, the system cools the water. Mr Meseguer says temperature stability supports growth and helps avoid the winter slowdown and parasite pressure seen in cage systems. He claims growth in the RAS can be much faster than in sea cages because the fish’s growth performance is not hampered by adverse seasonal conditions. The system draws seawater from the port area, then filters and recirculates it. Around five

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

11_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 50

27/06/26 3:55 PM

aquaculture

he ncon entional design sol es the o er di ensioning that is characteristic of traditional ﬁsh tanks where capacit is wasted d ring part of the growth c cle

percent of the water is discharged each day. Before discharge, water passes through a settlement tank where solids are removed and collected by an external company for use as fertiliser or a similar product. Water leaving the farm is subject to official control points, allowing government authorities to inspect discharge quality.

Sustainable energy for more than half the energy requirements Energy demand is one of the main questions facing any land-based marine farm. Heating, chilling, pumping,

oxygenation, and filtration all require energy. Alicante Aquaculture has covered the farm with solar panels, which Mr Meseguer says provide around 55 to 60 percent of the company’s power requirements. In terms of sustainability, in addition to producing their own power, 99 percent of the water is reused, there are no fish escapes, and no parasite transfers from or to the wild. Fish welfare is not only critical to product quality but is also necessary to maintain the fish in good health. Poor welfare increases the likelihood of fish succumbing to an illness. In a RAS, treating fish that are unwell is complex and risky as antibiotics or chemicals can damage the biofilter. For Mr Meseguer, prevention is a natural part of the farm operations. The company controls current, temperature, density, light, and water quality, trying to create what he calls “a little piece of the sea” for a marine fish that needs movement. Alicante Aquaculture is also involved in research with the University of Murcia, the University of Copenhagen, and other institutions on welfare indicators for greater amberjack. The company sees a role for artificial intelligence and automation. It is working on systems to control and count fish as they move between rings and on bacterial monitoring in the water, fish mucus, and tank surfaces. In RAS, a pump failure, oxygen drop, or biofilter problem can quickly affect the whole stock. Mr Meseguer expects the farm to employ about 20 people once it is operating at full capacity, with round-theclock staffing for rapid response times in case of an emergency. The route to production has been long. Mr Meseguer says the company spent about six years securing licences, despite support from authorities at European, national, regional, and municipal levels and subsidies from the European Maritime Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund. He distinguishes between the content of regulation and

the time it takes to get clearances and permits. Environmental checks and official documents are reasonable in themselves, he says, but the duration it takes to get them is difficult for investors, especially for a project located in an industrial port rather than on a natural beach. One example he cites was the need to secure archaeological documentation for reclaimed land less than a decade old. He is not alone, however. Across the EU, bureaucracy has been identified as one of the major reasons aquaculture has seen no growth for years.

Ambitious export plans Commercial production is expected to begin with fresh whole fish for restaurants and specialist intermediaries. The first batch of fingerlings came from a hatchery in southern Spain, but Alicante Aquaculture plans to build its own hatchery and become vertically integrated with broodstock, eggs, juveniles, and grow-out under its control. This would reduce dependence on a limited juvenile supply and give the company greater control over genetics, timing, and biosecurity. The target markets are Spain, Italy, France, the Middle East, Japan, and the United States. The company wants to avoid supermarkets and large buyers that might squeeze margins and dilute the premium reputation of the fish. Fish will mainly be sold fresh and whole, although some markets may ask for gutted fish or fish killed using the Japanese ikejime method. Alicante Aquaculture’s success will depend not only on producing a good fish, but on doing so consistently, at a cost that the restaurant market will pay. If the company can prove that model, Seriola Ibérica could become a source of inspiration for others interested in farming high-value marine species on land in Europe.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

11_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 51

27/06/26 3:55 PM

processing

Fish finds a high-value outlet in the pet industry

WZF GmbH/Thomas Geiger

At Interzoo 2026 in Nuremberg, the world’s largest meeting place for the international pet industry, fish was present in more ways than one. It appeared directly in the aquarium segment, indirectly in pet food technology, and increasingly as a premium ingredient in dog and cat nutrition.

Interzoo 2026, the tradeshow for all things pet, reﬂected the growing interest in ﬁsh as an ingredient in pet food thanks to its healthful features.

nterzoo 2026, held from 12 to 15 May at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, brought together about 2,400 exhibitors and 39,000 trade visitors, confirming its position as a global reference point for pet products, pet food, accessories, retail systems, and innovation.

Nutritional products for pets a potentially lucrative segment for seafood The pet industry deserves closer attention from the fisheries and aquaculture

sector. It is not the largest outlet by volume, and it will not replace traditional seafood channels. Yet it can offer attractive value creation for selected raw materials, side-streams, species, and processed fractions that are not always fully rewarded in the human food market. Fish skins, frames, heads, small pelagics, trimmings, whitefish offcuts, salmon skins, fish oils, hydrolysates, collagen-rich fractions, and dried whole fish can all become part of a premium pet product rather than a low-value by-product. The economics of seafood processing are changing. Processors face pressure to improve resource efficiency, document sustainability, reduce waste, and extract

more value from every kilogram landed or farmed. In this context, pet food and pet treats can form part of a wider utilisation strategy. The strongest products are not usually bulk commodity meals, but high value, upmarket items including air-dried fish skin chews, mono-protein treats, freeze-dried fish bites, omega-rich toppers, hypoallergenic diets, functional oils, and small-batch snacks.

Volumes may be modest, but values are high Pet treats may require modest quantities of raw material compared with

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

12_PROCESSING (PRO).indd 52

29/06/26 5:05 PM

processing human food or fishmeal production, but unit values can be high. A processor selling mixed side-streams into fishmeal competes in a commodity channel. A processor converting selected skins or other fish parts into branded treats enters a consumer market characterised by premium products, health claims, and sustainability. A recent analysis of seafood by-products in pet food noted that 30–70% of seafood can become by-products depending on species and processing, while highlighting examples where fish skins and heads have been redirected into premium dog and cat products rather than lower-value uses. Interzoo’s own analysis confirms this direction. The organiser identified alternative protein sources, single-protein products, premium-quality accessories, health, and sustainability as central themes in 2026. Fish fits these trends particularly well. It offers high-quality protein, palatability, omega-3 fatty acids, and digestibility. It also supports the single-protein and limited-ingredient products that are increasingly used for pets with sensitivities or allergies.

Labels for human and pet food converge For fish processors, the pet channel should be viewed as a differentiated market. Raw materials must meet safety, quality, and traceability requirements. Products for dogs and cats are not human food, but pet-owners increasingly expect the same attributes they associate with food for humans; natural, responsibly sourced, additive-free, etc. For example, an Icelandic company uses terms including Icelandic fisheries, purity,

freshness, and renewable energy, to shape the perception of its pet food products. While another, based in the Netherlands, describes its snacks for pets as 100% natural and free from artificial additives. The European market is large enough to justify strategic attention. The European Pet Food Industry Federation, FEDIAF, reports that 139 million European households own one or more pets, representing 49% of households, and that European pet food sales amount to EUR29.2bn annually. In the United States, the American Pet Products Association, APPA, reports USD158bn in total pet spending in 2024, with pet food and treats accounting for USD68.3bn, and projects USD165bn in total spending in 2026. These figures do not isolate fish-based products, but they show the scale and purchasing power of the market into which fish-derived pet products can be sold. Within this market, fish has several distinct applications. The first is as an ingredient in complete pet foods. Salmon, whitefish, herring, cod, trout, tuna, sardine, and other marine species are used in dry, wet, semimoist, and raw-style formulations for dogs and cats. In premium products, fish may be positioned as the main protein source, a novel protein, or a functional ingredient. Fish oil and marine-derived omega-3 ingredients are also used in formulations targeting coat quality, skin health, joint function, cognition, and general animal welfare. The second important channel are treats and chews, where margins may be especially attractive because the product is less commoditised. Fish skins can become dental chews; small whole fish can become crunchy rewards; fillets can become training treats; and cod skin, salmon skin, sprats, herring, capelin, and

whitefish can all be presented as natural snacks. One producer from Spain also highlighted the absence of preservatives, colourings, additives, or artificial aromas.

Seafood industry could further exploit the humanisation of pets The third channel is supplements and functional products. Oils, powders, hydrolysates, collagen, mineral-rich bone fractions, and skin-derived ingredients can be sold as nutritional additions. Here, the technical and regulatory burden is higher, but so is the opportunity for differentiation. For aquaculture, this may open additional business opportunities. Farmed fish producers already generate controlled, traceable raw material streams. In processing operations, side-streams can be separated and graded for higher-value uses. However, attractive prices should not obscure operational realities. Premium pet treats are labour-, energy-, and packaging-intensive. Food safety failures damage brands. Export markets require documentation. And claims such as “natural”, “sustainable”, “hypoallergenic”, “human-grade”, or “single ingredient” must be used carefully. Among the main lessons from Interzoo 2026 is that fish is no longer only a seafood product for pets. It is also a sustainable health ingredient, a premium snack, or a nutritional supplement, and thereby an increasingly important part of pet diets. Companies in fisheries and aquaculture should take note that engaging with the pet food industry may help improve fish utilisation and profitability. Christian Philip Unmack, cpu@stmi.dk

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

12_PROCESSING (PRO).indd 53

29/06/26 5:05 PM

technology

Residual materials become raw materials Anyone who thinks of packaging only as protecting the product inside underestimates the variety of its functions. Packaging can also make transport and storage more efficient, simplify handling, and attract attention. In a highly competitive market, packaging is an important marketing tool for differentiation.

ust a few decades ago, it was common to wrap fish simply in newspaper. Newspapers insulate well and absorb moisture. Even fish and chips were sold in cones made from newsprint. Wags even claimed that the printer’s ink was what really gave the dish its characteristic taste. In the 1980s, however, hygiene regulations put an end to this dubious

pleasure. Today, the tradition seems to be experiencing a revival in some fish and chip shops, but that impression is deceptive. What looks like a London newspaper is actually a high-tech product, because fish and chips are now served in a hygienic, grease-resistant coated bag. Paper packaging is still a good choice as an aroma and odour barrier. It forms a barrier that protects the contents

from oxygen in the air. The material is often sturdy, which makes it suitable for stacking and palletising. It is frequently made partly from renewable raw materials that are biodegradable or enable high recycling rates. At supermarket service counters, paper for wrapping goods has become indispensable. This is often duplex paper, with a robust outer paper layer and an inner film layer. The material folds like paper, can be printed, is grease-repellent, and is attractive in terms of price.

Packaging legislation creates a binding legal framework

Shelf ready secondary packaging (SRP) saves a great deal of time and resources in retail, because it can be placed directly on the shop shelf.

Where newspaper was once sufficient as packaging for fish, far more stringent requirements now must be met. The primary focus is on safety, hygiene, and product protection. In addition, properties such as sealability and temperature stability are becoming increasingly important. Convenience products can sometimes even be cooked directly in hermetically sealed retail packs that are aroma-tight. To steer ideas and developments in the packaging sector in a consistent way, a comprehensive legal foundation is needed. Packaging legislation regulates what may be used as packaging. In the fish and

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

13_TECHNOLOGY (TECH).indd 54

27/06/26 5:01 PM

technology seafood sector, the range of packaging materials is particularly wide. This is due partly to the breadth of the product range (fresh, frozen, raw, smoked, marinated, and so on), and partly to the variety of sales channels (direct sale over service counters, self-service sale, and others). The characteristics and properties of different fish species can also differ significantly (size, fins possibly with spines, scales, slime, and so forth), which must be duly taken into account in packaging.

Primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging Packaging must fulfil several tasks. Its main purpose is, of course, to protect the product it contains. Beyond that, it should facilitate storage, loading, and transport, support sales through attractive presentation, provide information for customers, and later enable recycling or environmentally sound disposal of the packaging. Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 1994 classifies packaging types along the logistics chain as primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging. Each of these “packaging levels” serves a different purpose and addresses different target groups in the supply chain. Primary packaging is the packaging that reaches the end customer at the point of sale. It is usually attractively designed so that the item catches the buyer’s eye on the shelf. Primary packaging also serves as a means of communication with customers. It makes products recognisable and is an important carrier of information, providing, for example, details of shelf life, ingredients, and preparation instructions. Secondary packaging, by contrast, bundles several primary packaged sales units when they are to be offered together at the point of sale. An example would be several tins of fish held together by a band, a plastic sheath, or in cardboard sleeves. Shelf ready packaging (SRP) is particularly

Here, three cups (primary packaging) have been combined into a single sales unit by means of secondary cardboard packaging.

useful. It is characterised by high display capability and saves a great deal of time and resources in retail. Shelf ready packs, usually cartons or trays, are secure for transport, stackable, can be placed on the retail shelf with just a few simple moves, and thanks to a folding lid or perforated tear-off front, can be opened easily without scissors or knives. This gives customers direct access to the goods. SRP is particularly advantageous for products that belong to the FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) segment. Tertiary packaging is the next level up and groups together several secondary packaged units. This simplifies handling during transport and storage, and helps prevent damage. Pallets, which play a central role in transport and warehouse processes, are typical of tertiary packaging. In online mail order business, corrugated cardboard boxes and polystyrene boxes can also serve as tertiary packaging. Companies that place packaged products on the market on a commercial basis are legally obliged to register the type and quantity of packaging they use in the public LUCID reporting register. This registration requirement also applies to companies that use only small amounts of packaging.

MAP and VSP dominate for fresh fish For end customers, primary and secondary packaging are particularly important. They are crucial in determining whether a product catches their eye, how they perceive it, and whether they buy it. Well-designed packaging can even be more important than the product itself, the classic “lipstick on a pig”. Packaging is not only a protective shell and a brand ambassador for the product but also triggers emotions and can overshadow competing products. The range of packaging options in the fish and seafood sector is large, and choosing the right solution is one of the most important marketing decisions. Vacuum packs, polybags, skin packs (VSP, short for vacuum skin packaging), and MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) are packaging options that offer many advantages, especially for irregularly shaped products such as fish, fish fillets, and seafood. They maximise shelf life, provide product safety, and enable appealing presentation at retail level.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

13_TECHNOLOGY (TECH).indd 55

27/06/26 5:01 PM

technology Clear requirements for recyclability Packaging is therefore useful, and often indispensable, but it also creates problems, because once the product has been removed, it becomes waste. Its relatively short life cycle burdens the environment, especially as packaging often consists of plastics that decompose only very slowly. This raises the bar, because packaging must be capable of environmentally sound disposal, be recyclable, or biodegradable. The target recycling rates for packaging are 90 per cent for glass, ferrous metals, aluminium, paper, and cardboard.

Composite materials and plastic packaging should be at least two-thirds recycled. This should not pose any problems for tins, which in the fish sector are commonly used and not only for herring, mackerel, sardine, or tuna products. They are mostly made of aluminium or tinplate, which can be recycled almost indefinitely. However, this requires relatively large amounts of energy, which has a negative impact on the carbon footprint. Bio-plastic, which is produced from plant-based biomass such as maize or sugar cane, is a rather controversial alternative packaging material. On the surface, it appears more sustainable than plastics made from crude oil. Life cycle assessments, however, show that bio-based

plastic does not offer convincing environmental advantages. The cultivation of maize, sugar cane, or potatoes used as raw materials requires agricultural land that is then no longer available for food production. The manufacture of bio-plastic requires chemicals and a great deal of energy. Disposal is also difficult. Although the term “bio” suggests that it can simply be put in the organic waste bin, but this is not advisable for biodegradable plastic, because decomposition takes considerably longer than for “natural” compost. With the exception of bio-PET, which can be disposed of like conventional plastic, other bio-plastic packaging belongs in the residual waste bin. Manfred Klinkhardt

guest page

Italian shellfish farmers diversify income streams Italian shellfish farmers currently face multiple challenges both immediate and more long term that threaten their industry. The most serious is probably climate change which has already rendered some areas inhospitable to the growing of shellfish due to high water temperatures and the spread of invasive predators. Other factors affecting the sector include generational change and bureaucracy. The Association Mediterranea Acquacoltori (AMA) represents the interests of the sector and has taken initiatives to make it more resilient, says Federico Pinza, the president of the association.

ollusc production in Italy has been in gradual decline for about a decade. What efforts can AMA undertake to increase, or at least stabilise, production? What will be the long-term consequences for the sector if this decline continues? AMA works alongside farmers, supporting them and guiding them in strategic choices aimed at diversifying production through the introduction of new activities such as oyster farming, algal polyculture, direct sales, and

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

13_TECHNOLOGY (TECH).indd 56

27/06/26 5:01 PM

guest page product processing. Added to these are activities connected with tourism, such as fishing tourism and aquaculture tourism, which represent further opportunities to supplement income. The objective is to help counter the progressive loss of farmers which, because of the critical issues described above, has now been taking place in the sector for several years. Recently, several businesses have joined forces to set up producer organisations to face market challenges more effectively and limit problems arising from competition between production companies. AMA firmly believes that this delicate moment will be overcome and will continue to represent a stable point of reference for farmers, accompanying the sector towards a phase of greater resilience, innovation, and economic sustainability. Allocated zones for aquaculture cover about 30,000 hectares in Italian waters. What advantages or otherwise has the identification of these areas brought for AMA members? Further areas have been identified, and others may be recognised once the Italian programme for the study and identification of allocated zones for aquaculture concludes. The main advantage of this instrument lies in the possibility of long-term planning and in the fact that these zones have already been assessed in terms of their environmental characteristics and compatibility with farming activity. However, it remains to be considered whether, under normal market conditions, an increase in areas designated for aquaculture, and therefore in production, could in some cases boomerang on the operators themselves. AMA has long worked to raise awareness among its members of the need to maintain an average selling price that covers all the costs incurred, to avoid selling below cost that, in the long term, risks compromising the economic sustainability of businesses.

Is management of the sector by the authorities uniform across the country? What are the consequences of different management regimes in different areas of the country? Is this desirable, given that bivalve farming can vary from one area to another, or is it better to have a single regulatory framework? This too is a critical issue that our association constantly brings to the attention of the institutions. At present, there is in fact no fully homogeneous national regulatory framework for the sector. The management of stateowned maritime concessions varies considerably from region to region and, in some cases, even within the same territory, with different areas of responsibility distributed between the region, coastal municipalities, and port authorities. In some fishing communities, in fact, concession-holders answer to different bodies, with procedures and interpretations that are not always uniform. It is easy to understand how this administrative fragmentation creates considerable difficulties in the day-to-day management of activities, as well as generating regulatory uncertainty and uneven treatment among operators. Bivalve farming contributes to the spread of alien species, as these colonise the infrastructure (ropes, nets, longlines) used for their growth. They can also develop on the shells of the bivalves themselves and spread when bivalves are transferred between farming areas. How do you think this problem can be addressed? Unfortunately, this is a real problem in aquaculture. Mussel, oyster, and other bivalve farms provide an ideal habitat for fouling organisms (algae, ascidians, bryozoans, hydroids, crustaceans). In addition, the transfer of seed, or adult product on ropes, between different areas of the Mediterranean, or even Atlantic areas, can transport alien species, their larvae, fragments, or

Federico Pinza, President, Association Mediterranea Acquacoltori (AMA)

associated pathogens. The problem is difficult to solve; completely eliminating the risk associated with bivalves is probably impossible. The realistic objective is to reduce drastically the likelihood of introduction through stronger controls and to make farmers aware of the risks involved in uncontrolled re-immersion. Among the challenges facing the sector, including climate change, bureaucracy, and generational renewal, which do you consider to be the greatest threat? And what solutions would you suggest to address the problem? All these factors represent important limits to the expansion of the activity. However, while it is possible in some way to overcome the difficulties linked to bureaucracy and to mitigate the impact of other constraints through training and professional development, climate change represents a challenge of a different nature,

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

13_TECHNOLOGY (TECH).indd 57

27/06/26 5:01 PM

guest page and one that is far more complex to address. There are, in fact, no simple or immediate solutions capable of directly countering its effects at local level. If the current trend continues, the risk that entire production areas may in future become unsuitable for productive activity, because of environmental conditions, is an increasingly concrete possibility. How does a new operator in the sector obtain the concession needed to start the activity? How does the transfer of ownership take place? Are there incentives to encourage young farmers who are just starting out to enter the sector? In Italy, state-owned maritime concessions for aquaculture are often transferred through the sale of shares in the companies that hold them, or through taking over the activity, subject to authorisation by the granting authority. Since the concession areas are stateowned property, they cannot be sold; what is purchased is the farming infrastructure. There are also incentives for young entrepreneurs who intend to start an activity in the sector, but these contributions cover only part of the high initial investment needed for the installation and management of the activity. As a result, entry into the sector often remains complex and requires significant initial capital or the support of existing companies. What is the status of employment in the sector? Do bivalve farmers hire staff from outside the family? Is it easy to find people willing to work in bivalve farming? What happens if they cannot find the employees they need? As already noted, the number of people employed in the sector has fallen significantly, an inevitable consequence after such a prolonged period of crisis. However, it is important to prepare for a future recovery by investing in the training of new staff

through specific courses and dedicated professional pathways. The progressive reduction in the number of businesses and the predominantly family-based management of activities have, in fact, impoverished the pool of qualified workers from which the sector can draw. For this reason, generational renewal represents one of the sector’s main challenges. This is an issue that we constantly bring to the attention of the institutions. Today, few young people choose to approach the world of aquaculture and shellfish farming, and in some production areas, especially in the Adriatic, much of the workforce consists of young nonEU nationals with no experience in the sector. Without adequate policies to support training and raise the profile of the profession, there is a risk of losing skills that are fundamental to the future of the sector. How has the bivalve market evolved over the last five years? Can small producers earn enough income from bivalve farming to support themselves and their families? If not, what alternatives are available to them? In recent years, Italian shellfish farming has experienced a severe crisis due to rising sea temperatures, the spread of alien predatory species, and other environmental changes. The consequences have been a sharp reduction in production, the closure of many businesses, and the loss of numerous jobs. For many families, leaving the activity was the only way to maintain an adequate income. Where possible, some operators have instead tried to diversify their activities by introducing new production lines or developing complementary services, in an attempt to overcome this period of serious economic hardship. Is there a trend among bivalve farmers to diversify their sources of income, for example by farming other species

or engaging in aquaculture tourism? Are there incentives to do so? Diversification is becoming an important opportunity to supplement the income of aquaculture businesses. Alongside mussel and clam farming, oyster farming is developing successfully, as shown by the Italian Oyster Fest in La Spezia, which enhances and promotes national oyster production. Processing and direct sales of products are also increasing, as are activities linked to tourism, such as fishing tourism and aquaculture tourism, which allow businesses to broaden their sources of income. In this context, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund offers essential support for investment and for increasing the competitiveness of the sector. For this reason, our association is committed to ensuring that the European Union continues to guarantee adequate resources for a sector that is going through a period of deep difficulty. Mussel farming has been indicated as a way to offset the waste (faecal material and uneaten feed) associated with marine fish farming. Have studies been carried out in Italy on this issue? Yes. In Italy, several studies have been carried out specifically on the idea of using mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as a component of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems (IMTA), that is, farms in which waste produced by gilthead seabream, European seabass, or other fish is intercepted by filter-feeding organisms such as mussels, sponges, polychaetes, and algae. Studies carried out in some fishing communities in southern Italy have shown that mussels farmed in IMTA systems grew well, achieved interesting production levels, and, above all, maintained standards suitable for human consumption as regards the microbiological parameters and contaminants monitored. However, at present I am not aware that this technique is being applied in commercial farms.

Eurofish Magazine 4/2026

13_TECHNOLOGY (TECH).indd 58

27/06/26 5:01 PM

Get the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Europe delivered straight to your inbox

IMPRINT Publisher

Eurofish International Organisation H.C. Andersens Boulevard 44-46 DK-1553 Copenhagen V Denmark Tel.: +45 333 777 55, info@eurofish.dk eurofish.dk

Managing editor

Marco Frederiksen

Editorial ofﬁces

Advertising

Mads Tj rby FRONTMEDIA Ny Banegårdsgade 55 8000 Aarhus C Denmark Mob.: +45 2750 7080 Tel.: +45 4822 4450 mads@frontmedia.dk

for free.

Frequency

6 issues per year

Circulation

2500 copies

Subscription details

Price: EUR 100,– To subscribe send an email to info@euroﬁsh.dk

18-20 August 2026 Nor-Fishing Trondheim, Norway Tel.: + 47 7356 8640 post@nor-fishing.no https://nor-fishing.no/en/

ISSN 1868-5943

24-26 September 2026 Future Fish Eurasia İzmir, Türkiye Tel.: +90 212 347 10 54 info@eurasiafairs.com www.eurasiafairs.com

1-3 September 2026 Global Shrimp Forum Utrecht, Netherlands willem@shrimpinsights.com https://www.shrimp-forum.com/

2-4 September 2026 Seafood Expo Asia Singapore sales-asia@seafoodexpo.com https://www.seafoodexpo.com/ asia/

9-11 September 2026 Polfish* Gdańsk, Poland Tel.: +48 724 909 039 katarzyna.szkolnik @amberexpo.pl www.polfishtargi.pl

Eurofish.dk/sign-up

diary dates

29 September-1 October Aquaculture Europe 2026* Ljubljana, Slovenia eas@aquaeas.eu www.aquaeas.org

6-8 October 2026 Conxemar Vigo 2026* Vigo, Spain Tel.: +34 986 433 351 www.conxemar.com

4-6 November 2026 Busan International Seafood & Fisheries EXPO Busan, South Korea Tel : +82-51-740-7518 bisfe@bexco.co.kr https://www.bisfe.com/eng/

14-16 September 2026 Tuna 2026 Bangkok, Thailand info@infofish.org https://tuna.infofish.org/

Order your free trial info@eurofish.dk Read the Eurofish Magazine online at www.eurofish.dk

22-24 September 2026 Icefish* Kópavogur, Iceland Tel.: +44 1329 825 335 press@icefish.is www.icefish.is

8-11 December 2026 AlgaEurope 2026* Valletta, Malta Tel.: +31 85 401 73 97 info@dlg-benelux.com www.algaeurope.org

* Eurofish will be attending

euroﬁsh.dk

01_Cover 4p.indd 2

29/06/26 3:57 PM

AUGUST 2026/4 August 4 / 2026 Eurofish Magazine

Denmark

SKAGEN SALMON RELIES ON QUALITY AND ITS Eurofish International Organisation

ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS

FISHEUTRUST, a project to build trust in seafood supply chains, concludes

AN INTERVIEW with Ebubekir Gizligider, Türkiye’s Vice Minister for Agriculture and Forestry

GUEST PAGES: Federico Pinza, President of AMA, on boosting resilience in Italian bivalve farming

www.euroﬁsh.dk 01_Cover 4p.indd 1

PUBLISHED BY

29/06/26 3:57 PM