Freshwater aquaculture in the EU

In the last 20 years the freshwater aquaculture sector in the EU has faced several constraints including lack of investment and innovation, low diversity of products in the market (e.g. mainly live and fresh products for carp), a high degree of seasonality (related to traditional carp dishes), strict environmental regulations and increasing bureaucracy, climate change, etc. The importance of the freshwater aquaculture sector is underestimated in Europe. This is due to the low coverage of the data collection systems and the low understanding of the role played by the freshwater aquaculture in providing food and employment opportunities while maintaining European landscapes and cultural heritage. This study provides an overview of the freshwater aquaculture sector, its role and its specificities across the European Union and highlights the main challenges and opportunities to its growth. Although freshwater aquaculture contributes to 20%1 of aquaculture volume in the EU, there is still considerable potential for sustainable growth of production and improvement of food security.