Fish and shellfish farmers in England could achieve a tenfold increase in production in the next 20 years, equating to a total volume of 90,000 metric tons (MT), according to a new growth strategy compiled by the Seafood 2040 Strategic Framework.
Setting out a vision for English aquaculture, and how the sector could become a more significant contributor to increased seafood consumption, the “English Aquaculture Strategy” acknowledges that the country’s aquaculture production has stagnated over the last decade, and that the industry now faces the uncertainties of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the exit from the European Union.
Developed by Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd., working with industry representatives on the Seafood 2040 Aquaculture Leadership Group (ALG), the strategy also recognizes the need for leadership and collaboration between industry and regulators to meet these challenges.
According to the strategy, factors that have combined to inhibit growth and new investment into the sector include: Competition for space and resources in a densely populated country; an opaque and sometimes highly precautionary approach to aquaculture authorizations; limited domestic consumer demand in traditionally-farmed species; and the vulnerability of marine shellfish farming to poor water quality.
As well as increasing the output and diversification of English aquaculture, it targets the sector contributing at least 15 percent of overall seafood consumption in England by 2040, and to provide 5,000 jobs.
“The development of an English Aquaculture Strategy brings England into alignment with the devolved administrations in the U.K. in having a strategy for aquaculture development. There are great opportunities here for all stakeholders to work together in support of a growing industry that shows promise and potential for the provision of high-value, nutritious, and healthy seafood,” Seafood 2040 Chair Neil Auchterlonie said.“The relevance and importance of increasing domestic food production, and employment opportunities in the more fragile rural economies, will be appreciated by all during a current period of uncertainty underlined by the double impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit. This work is much needed, and long overdue.”
Seafood 2040 is an England-focused strategic program, facilitated by public body Seafish, in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and seafood industry partners. It is funded through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
Photo courtesy of Seafood 2040
