Evaluation of the Impact of "A strategy for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture" COM (2002) 511 Final

Abstract

The 2002 strategy COM(2002) 511 FINAL was a landmark for European aquaculture and looked to build on the excellent growth seen in the sector during the 1990s. This study compares the impact of the 2002 Communication as perceived by various stakeholders across Europe, measured against recent statistics, facts, outcomes of economic, legislative and research processes. While the core objectives of consumer health and safety and environmental issues were perceived to have been partially successful, the growth and development objective was not. In the period examined, Community aquaculture production has stagnated and even declined in some species sectors. Aquaculture development since 2002 was perceived to have been held back by access to coastal and rural space, including competition from other resource users. The administrative burdens placed on (new) aquaculture operations was also considered to be important.Reasons for the gap between the perceived impact and "documented" implementation success of the 2002 strategy are suggested. Some of the less successful actions have also been recognised by the Commission in its COM(2009) 162 aquaculture strategy.