Research is ongoing on this subject. For example, the EU-funded project “Diversify” has identified the following species as the most important for productive diversification of European aquaculture: Meagre (Argyrosomus regius), Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerilii), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus), Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus). Other EU-funded projects have also looked into the potential for further diversification of species, including low-trophic species (see AquaVitae (https://aquavitaeproject.eu/). Diversification must be undertaken in acknowledgement of market demand and international trade in aquatic food products.
Algae offer a large potential, but production in Europe is currently still low. The Commission adopted in 2022 the Communication ‘Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector', the so-called EU Algae Initiative (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6899) which aims at unlocking the potential of algae in the European Union. The Communication proposes 23 actions to create opportunities for the industry to help it grow into a robust, sustainable and regenerative sector capable of meeting the growing EU demand. The European algae stakeholder platform, EU4Algae (https://maritime-forum.ec.europa.eu/en/frontpage/1727) aims to accelerate the development of a European algae industry and promote algae for nutrition and other uses among consumers and businesses in the EU.