SPAIN
Innovation at all levels of the ďŹ sh farming value chain are critical to achieving Blue Growth
Aquaculture drives Blue Growth in Spain Blue Growth is the European Commission’s strategy for the sustainable development of the marine and maritime economy, which already represents over 5m jobs and EUR500bn in value. The strategy identiďŹ es areas that have a high potential for further growth, one of which is the aquaculture sector. Blue Growth emphasizes conservation and sustainable management based on the premise that healthy ecosystems are more productive than others that are not, while being essential for an economy based on aquatic areas. It also supposes more reliable, safe and transparent food production systems. Blue Growth is a long-term strategy to support the sustainable growth of the marine, freshwater
and maritime sectors. Today, the aquatic products industry generates billions of euros globally and plays a vital role in relation to food and nutrition, employment, trade, economic wellbeing and leisure for people. FAO predicts that by 2030 the world will need 50 more food, 45 more energy and 30 more fresh water. Blue Growth is destined to play a central role in solving these challenges to human survival. At the European level, Blue
Growth recognizes the importance of the seas, oceans and rivers as engines of the European economy due to their great potential for innovation and growth. It is the contribution of the Integrated Maritime Policy in achieving the objectives of the 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, in which Spain leads many of the activities linked to the sea, such as aquaculture, fishing and shipping.
APROMAR
T
he economic competitiveness of aquaculture companies underpins the sustainable development of the sector and also of the future of food for our society. There are several obstacles that are preventing Spanish aquaculture from unlocking its full potential, among them the inadequacy of the administrative framework. APROMAR is convinced, however, that these obstacles will be overcome and that the main lever for this will be innovation. Innovation will shape all the different facets of this complex activity: production, engineering, marketing, management, training as well as the administrative framework itself. Precisely because of this innovative spirit of aquaculture, the European Union assigns this activity a leading role in its Blue Growth strategy.
Balancing economic and social development The concept of Blue Growth emerged in 2012 from Green Growth. But, as 71 of the surface of our planet is covered by water, it is reasonable to dedicate a specific and particular strategy to this area. Blue Growth promotes a balance between economic development and social progress with the efficient use of natural resources and aquatic ecosystem services.
Innovations in the Spanish ďŹ sh farming sector such as greater collaboration, better marketing, and improved health and safety, are helping to deliver Blue Growth objectives. Eurofish Magazine 4 / 2018
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