Tuesday, April 30, 2013

30/04/13: European Commissioner calls for aquaculture cooperation; blue revolution in Canada; Asian carp in the USA

The European Commissioner has called for cooperation between Member States to help boost EU aquaculture. A new set of guidelines presented today will help coordinate efforts across all Member States. They do not create new legal obligations, but present a series of voluntary steps that Member States, the Commission, and stakeholders can take to promote an industry that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and provides consumers with healthy, high-quality seafood.
“Today, obtaining a licence for a new farm can take up to three years, which obviously deters investors,” said European Commissioner Maria Damanaki. "I want to work with Member States to cut red tape and help the competitiveness of this sector building upon the high level of consumer and environmental protection we currently have".

Canada needs a blue revolution if aquaculture is to compete with agriculture, says a study by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.
In this opinion piece, Brian Lee Crowley, managing director, Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Canada,  argues that aquaculture should be as synonymous with Canada as beef or wheat. What do you think?

The introduction of non-native species into aquaculture systems can have both positive and negative impacts. At the moment there is some concern over the introduction of Asian carp into US waters. At present there are seven varieties farmed to help control weeds and parasites in aquaculture systems. However, escapees have begun to dominate the Mississippi River, potentially threatening wild populations and water quality.
English: Downloaded from http://fl.biology.usg...
English: Downloaded from http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/pics/nonindig_fish/nonindig_fish/nonindig_fish_24.html Credits : US Geological Survey -- Florida Integrated Science Center, Gainesville (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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