Brussels. The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) has issued a formal statement responding to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the Directive on the reduction of the environmental impact of certain plastic products (SUPD). While fully supporting the Directive’s environmental ambitions, FEAP warns that unclear terminology, inconsistent implementation, and a failure to distinguish aquaculture from capture fisheries risk undermining its effectiveness and placing disproportionate burdens on fish farmers.

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FEAP’s newly published study

Despite strong policy support, organic finfish farming in the EU remains a niche segment – stagnating in recent years and even declining in some countries. The study highlights feed availability and cost, the shortage of certified juveniles, weak market demand and regulatory inconsistencies as key barriers.

Targeted policy updates – broader permitted feed materials, harmonised certification and hatchery rules, and stronger consumer awareness – are essential to make organic finfish farming viable and competitive in Europe.”

From left to right: Javier Ojeda, Gustavo Larrazabal, Lara Barazi, John Stephanis (2025 FEAP Award), Marco Gilmozzi, Sinan Kızıltan

In Memoriam: John Stephanis

The Management Committee, the members, and staff of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) are profoundly saddened by the passing of John Stephanis last week.

As a former FEAP President (2003-2010) and a key founder of the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATiP), John was a visionary leader whose contributions significantly shaped the growth and innovation of European aquaculture.

Earlier this year, in Stockholm, FEAP had the honour of awarding him the FEAP Award for Excellence in European Aquaculture, in recognition of his transformative impact on the sector. His legacy of dedication and leadership will continue to inspire all members of our community.

Read more about the presentation of the FEAP Award to Mr. John Stephanis.

credit @ Bence Mate

A new management plan has been announced to curb cormorant impacts on fish farming stocks, wild fish populations and fisheries after the conference on “Management Advice to Reduce Cormorant Predation Impacts”, that took place in Brussels on 3 June, organised by the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC)

EU stakeholders convened to discuss how to best tackle the increasing impact of great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) populations. This event brought together over 230 delegates from 35 countries, representing a diverse array of interests from research institutions, angling, fish farming, environmental policy and conservation.

The key outcome of the conference was the proposal for a framework European management plan for the great cormorant, developed by the EIFAAC in collaboration with FEAP and the European Anglers Alliance (EAA).

This adaptive plan aims to balance the conservation success of the cormorant with the need to protect wild fish stocks and the livelihoods of fishers and fish farmers. A key element of this management plan is its pan-European scope due to the migratory habits of these birds, as actions carried at local level have proven ineffective in the long run.

Read the full press release at https://www.fao.org/europe/news/detail/new-european-plan-aims-to-curb-cormorant-impacts-on-fisheries/en

From Production data to feed conversion ratio, looking at carbon footprint, freshwater & land use, including circularity and ecosystem services, you will find all you need to know in our FACTS ABOUT FINFISH AQUACULTURE.

#WEARETHEFUTURE.

Read the Position Paper

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Proposals for action

• Aquaculture producers have an indisputable right to protect their own production on their privately owned and maintained fish farms, and they also have responsibility to maintain the welfare and health status of the fish they produce, protecting them from unjustified constant disturbance by cormorants.
• Maintaining the derogation by the Birds Directive is essential to sustain the EU aquaculture, even to protect the populations of threatened fish species, but also has to be
  declared that the current practices doesn’t mean sufficient solution.
• For this reason, FEAP is repeatedly and strongly urging the development of an operative European Great Cormorant Management Plan to reevaluate the carrying capacity of the different habitat types and regions and to determine the eligible measures as well as implementation of cormorant control measures and tools on spatial and time scale.
• However, beside the long-term solution, fish farmers need an immediate action developing a guidance document on how to apply derogations provided for in Article 9 of the Birds Directive, altogether with reducing the administrative burden and introducing a single, simple administrative procedure for applying the derogation tools.
• The cost of the control mechanisms should be financed through environmental protection and EU Rural development funds through national budgets in all concerned EU Member states. Compensation for the damages on fish stocks and farming structures, especially on man-made facilities, should be financed through the financial mechanisms designated for the protection and restoration of the environment according to the rule that whoever protects then pays.
• Increase support to scientific and technical research and innovation on the improvement of effective protection measures, new technologies for automatic monitoring and early damage prevention. An overview of international experiences on efficient wild species control should be carried out. Practices on derogation systems, regulation mechanisms and compensation schemes should be shared between EU Member states.

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