Acquaculture in Europe and the world

Recommendation 961 (1983)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 25 January 1983 (23rd Sitting) (see Doc. 5004, report of the Committee on Agriculture). Text adopted by the Assembly on 25 January 1983 (23rd Sitting).

Thesaurus

The Assembly,

1. Considering the need to increase the production of protein to combat hunger in the world ;

2. Realising the contribution that expanded cultivation of fish, crustaceans, algae and other aquatic organisms- generally referred to as aquaculture- could make towards this end in Europe and, in consequence, in the developing world ;

3. Recognising that European aquaculture can also provide work and income in its own disadvantaged areas, can usefully complement traditional fishing and can form a basis for assistance to the developing world ;

4. Aware that the development of aquaculture in Europe is hindered by, inter alia, a shortage of funds for development and scientific research, insufficient knowledge of species and production methods, inadequate legislation and, in a number of member states, aquaculture's ill-defined status within the government administration ;

5. Conscious that many projects of otherwise good potential in developing countries have failed because of the low priority assigned to them by the host country, lack of trained local staff and adaptation to local conditions, and because of poor scientific and organisational information,

6. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers urge the governments of the member states :

6.1 to give aquaculture all the support necessary for its future development by affording it its rightful place in government administration, taxation and industry systems, and by eliminating any unfair treatment it may suffer in comparison with other food production ;

6.2 to encourage aquaculture research and training, and in particular, assist in the formation of a European co-ordination and information centre at a suitable university institution already active in related research ;

6.3 to give increased consideration, in their aid to developing countries, to aquaculture projects- paying particular attention to aquaculture management training, the adaptation to local conditions in the host country, and research into the species and methods most suited for production in the developing world.