Site selection and carrying capacity in Mediterranean ... - FAO Sipam

96 GFCM:XXXV/2011/Dma.9
Indicator Rationale and context Unit (how is it measured)
private areas. - Terrestrial zone (coast)
- The shoreline zone
Zones reserved for
aquaculture
Monitoring systems
- It reserves a physical space for
aquaculture facilities
- It simplifies the licensing process
- It anticipates and solves conflicts of
uses
- It describes the control and follow-up
of the activity.
- It implies the measurement of the
impact of aquaculture activities
96
- Yes/No
- Yes/No
Aquaculture is considered a key contributor to provide opportunities of employment increase in
coastal areas highly dependent on fisheries, as well as a source of nutritionally healthy, affordable
protein. This fact is particularly significant when the demand of aquatic food is increasing and
reduced catches by the fisheries sector lead to a reduction in consumption of fish for food. In this
context, aquaculture would increase availability of aquatic foods in many countries, not only in those
with low fisheries landings but also in those without a tradition of fisheries.
Many parts of countries worldwide are developing some kind of aquaculture, but the definition of a
clear legal framework is crucial in order to launch aquaculture activities successfully. In fact, many
countries with a high level of aquaculture activities started by increasing production and allowing new
facilities without considering legal issues, which would help to plan and organize aquaculture
activities in a sustainable way. This has been the case in Spain, Greece and Italy for a long time, and
more recently Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, among others. These countries point out the lack of a legal
framework as the main barrier for sustainable development of aquaculture. Management, planning,
organizational and decision-making tools are needed. Capacity building for operators intending to
start aquaculture should be clear before starting the activity.
The SHoCMed project’s main goal is to develop site selection and carrying capacity guidelines for
Mediterranean aquaculture within appropriate areas. In order to ensure appropriate selection and
management of areas of interest for aquaculture, it is essential to have an adequate and clear legal
framework that guarantees legal security for the industry and ensures ecological, economical and
social sustainable development of aquaculture. Consequently, this review is focused on highlighting
the benefits of adequate regulations for aquaculture, and identifying major gaps and outlining best
practices for public administrations; this will enable establishment of a robust aquaculture regulation
permitting system and hence ensure proper planning and coordination between different
administrations having competences in the coastal zone, and use of the best criteria for environment
impact assessment (EIA), and consideration of other issues related to governance and the aquaculture
legal framework.
Recently, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in cooperation with the
Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) and the Spanish Ministry of Environment, Rural
and Marine Affairs (MARM), published ‘Guidelines on Site Selection and Site Management on
Aquaculture’ (see appendix 2). In this guide, one can find the first comparative study on legal
frameworks in aquaculture in Mediterranean countries, including needs, gaps and best practices. A
further step is the need – currently being considered within the framework of the SHoCMed project -
to consider a more detailed analysis with particular attention paid to planning, site selection criteria,
regulatory procedures, EIA and monitoring of aquaculture activities.