Aquaculture is recognised as being one of the most efficient solutions to feed a growing global population and now provides more fish for food than fisheries. FEAP represents a range of different farmed fish species, including trout, salmon, carp, sea bass, sea bream, turbot, cod and many other new emerging interests, that are raised in very different conditions.

Aquaculture needs good water to be efficient and productive.  High quality water is of primary importance for both the growth and health performance of the fish.

The FEAP is very concerned by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) as they are central components for the protection and restoration of clean water across Europe. The FEAP has published its opinion on the application of those Directives in relation to Aquaculture

The EU’s Nature Conservation Directives, and in particular the Habitats Directive, are impacting the fish farmers in their daily work. The FEAP took part in the drafting of the Guidance document on aquaculture activities in the context of the Natura 2000 Network, by promoting best practices which illustrate how nature protection provisions are compatible with sustainable aquaculture development.

Licensing, Alien species, Biodiversity, Predators (Great Cormorant), Spatial Planning, Climate Change, Carbon Footprint, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) are other environmental issues that the FEAP is focusing on.

• Guidance on Aquaculture and Natura 2000
• Draft Guidance Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in relation to aquaculture
• The Birds Directive
• The Habitats Directive

• FEAP Position on the legal cataloguing of farmed fish manure
• FEAP Position Paper on Alien Species
• FEAP Position Paper on the proposal for a EC communication on a new approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the EU
• Recommendations on EU Nature Directives