Aquaculture Advisory Council
Budget
€300 — €0
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
2
1.5 FTE
EU Grants
€335,768
Mission & Goals
The objective of the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) is to contribute to the sustainable development of European aquaculture by preparing and providing advice on subjects and issues relating to the aquaculture value chain, on behalf of all those stakeholders engaged in the aquaculture production sectors, feed and ingredient suppliers, processing, service suppliers, consumers and other interest groups. Specifically, the AAC will look to support and realise the achievement of the objectives concerning aquaculture within the Common Fisheries Policy, the Common Organisation of the Markets for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products and other relevant European and international regulations. The main products of aquaculture are fish, molluscs and algea, which are reared in freshwater or marine conditions, destined to be food for human consumption. The activity is governed by regulations on water and its use, feed ingredients, health/welfare (...)
EU Legislative Interests
Overarching long term and short term work priorities I. Implementation of the Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU Aquaculture The Aquaculture AC has been given some specific tasks by the European Commission in the implementation of the Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030. To fulfil these obligations, the AAC plans in 2025-2026: -To provide input to the DG MARE Aquaculture unit whenever requested at different stages of the preparation of the Guidance Documents foreseen for the implementation of the Strategic Guidelines; -To constantly aim at improving the dissemination of information towards the EU aquaculture stakeholders, such as Good practices and Guidance. -To disseminate among Members the EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism website and invite them to join as registered users. To propose, where relevant, information to be included in the Knowledge base of this website. To provide feedback to the European Commission and the Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism on the usefulness of this website for AAC members and, if relevant, any suggestion to facilitate access to information therein or new relevant information. -To support the work on the mid-term assessment of the implementation of the Strategic Guidelines due in the autumn of 2025 and on the follow up of the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy due in 2026. -To contribute to studies ongoing or planned (e.g. study on feed for aquaculture). II. Resilience/competitiveness of EU aquaculture - Food safety and food security - Simplification of Administrative Procedures - Enhancing competitiveness of European Aquaculture o Sustainability of Feeds and feed ingredients used in Europe as a differentiation aspect; o Consumer issues, including communication to consumers, e.g.: ecolabels; - Level Playing Field - Spatial Planning for marine and inland aquaculture - Aquaculture production and management systems o Organic aquaculture; o Supply of seed and fingerlings; o Low trophic and low environmental impact aquaculture species including algae, shellfish and herbivore and omnivore fish, as well as IMTA and offshore conditions - Blue bioeconomy o Implementation of the Algae Strategy. o Support to the creation or tak-over of aquaculture farm - Climate change mitigation and adaptation - EMFAF - Energy Transition partnership for EU fisheries and aquaculture, decarbonisation - Research on aquaculture and innovation priorities - Alien and invasive species prevention and management Aquatic Animal Health and Welfare - Availability of veterinary medicines, and biocides in light of the new EU regulations on VMPs and medicated Feed - Norovirus and emerging risks - Medicated feed - Fish parasites - A better understanding of microbiota - Development and use of vaccines and assessment of the licencing and approval processes of vaccines (EU/MS level); autologous vaccines. - Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) - Improving aquatic animals welfare and production through a better understanding of their behaviour and ethology: o Rearing and environments o Live aquatic animals transport o Stunning and Slaughter o Behavioural and Operational Welfare Indicators o Collecting data on important welfare aspects of aquaculture - Reproduction and genetics - Follow up of EURCAW-Aqua activities III. Green transition - Environmental issues and sustainability concerns o Bioeconomy Strategy o Circular Economy Act o Green Deal implementation o Zero Pollution agenda and evaluation of the Environmental Liability Directive o Nature Restoration law and EU Nature Directives o Water Framework Directive, water protection regulations for molluscs breeding and Water Resilience Strategy o Marine Strategy Framework Directive o Sustainability of feeds and feed ingredients o Responsible management of predators o Biodiversity o Etc. IV. Social acceptance/consumer information V. Knowledge/innovation
Communication Activities
The AAC takes part to all the initiatives related to aquaculture in which it may give a meaningful input. The AAC also organises events to foster the dialogue and knowledge about EU aquaculture, including its 10‑year anniversary event in cooperation with the Market Advisory Council (MAC) scheduled for June 2026, as well as a series of webinars, two of which are planned for 2026.
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Member Of
NA
Organisation Members
https://aac-europe.org/en/about-us/members/
Additional Information
Le CCA reçoit également des contributions volontaires des Etats membres, à hauteur de 43 000 EUR en 2025.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.