Infographics

Fish farming in the EU uses a variety of productions systems, ranging from traditional ponds to high-tech recirculating facilities. 

Each method has unique advantages and challenges.

The European Commission aims at achieving an EU aquaculture sector that is more resilient, competitive, and a global standard in sustainability and quality. The ‘strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021-2030’ present a vision to achieve this, as well as concrete recommendations and proposals for action.

EU Aquaculture Sector statistics for the period of 2008-2020 [Global Standing / Economic Performance / Production Statistics].

Organic aquaculture is a system of farming and food production that is based on the organic objectives and principles set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/848.

The infographic summarizes the 23 policy actions that are being implemented by the Commission in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to unlock the algae potential in the EU.

Shellfish aquaculture is the cultivation and harvest of aquatic invertebrates, including molluscs such as mussels, oysters and clams, echinoderms, such as sea urchins and sea cucumbers, and crustaceans like shrimps.

EMODnet’s high-quality baseline marine data supports the aquaculture sector in terms of farm management, well-being of marine life and sustainable exploitation of living resources, advancing the sector’s efforts to build resilience, sustainability and competitiveness, while supporting green transition and stimulating innovation.

Finfish aquaculture is the farming of freshwater and marine fish species in controlled aquatic enclosures such as ponds, lakes, reservoirs, or net pens in the sea. These can be completely closed systems such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), semi-closed systems such as flow-through/raceway systems and artificial ponds, open systems such as submerged nets/cages and extensive farming in natural ponds or wetlands.