3.2 Europe

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia FYR, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia FR

Figure 3.2.1.
Total aquaculture production in this region in 1995 was 1.4 million mt, valued at US$3.8 billion. This represented 5.1% and 8.9% of total world aquaculture production by weight and value, respectively (Figure 3.2.1). Since 1984, aquaculture production increased by a modest 51.6% by weight and 165.2% by value; the total aquaculture production sector exhibiting an overall APR of 3.8 by weight and 9.3 by value from 1984 to 1995 (Figure 3.2.1), with production up 3.7% by weight and 5.6% by value since 1994. The slow growth of the aquaculture sector within the region, especially between the late 1980s and the early 1990s, was due to several factors, including the political and economic transition in eastern European countries and consequent decline in freshwater carp production, the drastic fall in mussel production in Spain due the increasing occurrence of red tides, and to a lesser extent due to the progressive saturation of the mollusc market in the region (FAO, 1996; Pedini, 1996; Szczerbowski, 1996).

In marked contrast to the aquaculture sector, total capture fisheries production (finfish, shellfish and aquatic plants) within the region has remained stagnant, decreasing from 12.6 million mt in 1984 to 12.3 million mt in 1995, with aquaculture's contribution toward total fisheries landings consequently increasing from 6.9% in 1984 to 10.3% in 1995. Despite the decrease in capture fisheries production, fish and fishery products play an important role in food supply, with total per caput food fish supply (live weight equivalent) within the region increasing from 16.9 kg or 8.2% of total animal protein intake in 1984 to 18.1 kg or 9.0% of total animal protein intake in 1993 (the last year for which data are available; Laureti, 1996). However, since information on aquaculture stocks and trade are not separately available within the FAO food balance sheets for fish and fishery products, it is not possible to ascertain the exact contribution of aquaculture products to total food fish supply and protein supply within the individual member countries of the region. Despite this, it can be seen from Table 3.2.1 that total food fish supply was highest within the northern and western European countries, and lowest within the central and eastern European countries.

Figure 3.2.2.
In 1995, only 31 of the 42 countries in the region reported aquaculture production, with the bulk of aquaculture production currently being in northern Europe (Norway) and the European Union (Figure 3.2.2). The top ten aquaculture countries in 1995 produced 90% of the total aquaculture production within the region (Table 3.2.2). With the exception of Spain and Portugal (where red tides and disease outbreaks, respectively, have had a negative effect on the growth of the mollusc aquaculture sector), aquaculture production in many central and eastern European countries in 1995 for which statistical data are available (e.g. Germany, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Albania) have still not managed to surpass 1984 production levels. As with capture fisheries, the poor performance of the aquaculture sector within these countries has been mainly due to the political and economic upheavals (FAO, 1996).

Aquaculture production in the region during 1984-1995 was mainly from coastal or brackishwaters and marine waters (70% in 1984; 76% in 1995). Production in this environment grew at an APR of 4.6, compared with 1.7 for freshwater or inland aquaculture. The total value of coastal aquaculture production increased at an average rate of 12.8% per year from US$708 million in 1984 (49.6% of total aquaculture) to US$2.7 thousand million in 1995 (70.7%), whereas the value of inland aquaculture products grew at an average rate of only 4.0% per year, from US$719 million in 1984 to US$1.1 thousand million in 1995.

Figure 3.2.3.
The major aquaculture species groups cultured in the region in 1995 were finfish (779,000 mt) and molluscs (626,000 mt), with only a very limited production of aquatic plants (5,000 mt) and crustaceans (2,000 mt) (Figures 3.2.3 and 3.2.4).

Figure 3.2.4.

By far the most important species groups cultured within the region are finfish, for which production increased at an APR of 8.3 by weight and 10.6 by value since 1984 (up 11.1% and 5.1% since 1994, respectively). Total finfish production in 1995 was valued at US$2.8 thousand million or 74.9% of the total value of aquaculture production within the region. The main finfish species groups cultivated in the region are salmonids ( Table 3.2.4), with the total production in 1995 amounting to 614,000 mt (i.e. 78.9% of total finfish production) and valued at US$2.1 thousand million, or 56.1% of the total value of aquaculture products in 1995. Salmonids are mainly produced at high stocking densities in intensive cage-, tank- or pond-based farming systems in northern European (i.e. Norway) and European Union (EU) countries, with the two major cultivated species being the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (valued at US$1.3 thousand million) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (valued at US$311 million). However, in contrast to the much older rainbow trout farming sector, which has grown by only a modest 75.1% since 1984 with an average APR of 5.2 (2.1% increase since 1994), farmed Atlantic salmon production has increased by a staggering 1,236% since 1984, with an APR of 26.6 (22.0% increase since 1994)! As a result of the spectacular growth in production of these species, it is perhaps not surprising that Europe accounted for 65.2% of the total global production of farmed salmonids in 1995.

Freshwater cyprinids constitute the second major finfish species group cultivated in the region (13.6% of total finfish production in 1995), with total production valued at US$259 million ( Table 3.2.4,). In contrast to salmonids, these species are mainly produced at relatively low stocking densities in semi-intensive pond-based farming systems in eastern and central European countries, as a low-priced food fish for domestic consumption. The main cultivated species are common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Production of cyprinids within the region has fallen by over 25% since 1984 from 142,000 mt to 106,000 mt in 1995, after reaching a high of 159,000 mt in 1989. As mentioned previously, this decrease was mainly due to the economic and social problems faced by the transition within the eastern European countries from centrally planned to market economies (Staykov, 1994; Szczerbowski, 1996).

The next largest finfish species group cultivated in the region was marine finfish (5.4% of total finfish production in 1995), with production valued at US$333 million. These high-value species are generally cultivated within intensive cage-, tank- or pond-based farming systems, in coastal waters of the warmer southern European/Mediterranean countries (i.e. Greece, Italy, etc.). The two major cultivated species are the gilthead seabream (Sparus auratus) and the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) ( Table 3.2.4). Although the industry is still very much in its infancy, production has increased rapidly, the two species displaying an APR of 42.1 (from 362 mt to 17,000 mt) and 43.6 (315 mt to 17,000 mt) from 1984 to 1995, respectively.

The key issues facing aquaculture development in Europe can be broadly divided into two categories depending upon the farming strategy pursued: the intensive production of high-value species such as salmonids, marine finfish and molluscs within the EU and northern European countries, which are targeted toward luxury or niche markets; and the semi-intensive and extensive production of lower-value (in marketing terms) freshwater finfish such as cyprinids in central and eastern European countries, targeted toward the domestic market.

With regard to the intensive production of high-value species, the main issues facing the sector include: 1) over-production and saturation of markets within Europe for farmed salmon, seabass, seabream, mussels, and to a lesser extent oysters, and consequent decrease in fish prices and profitability (Pedini, 1996). For example, the Norwegian Fish Farmers Association has had to introduce harsh measures to avoid over-production and market saturation, including the mass destruction of Atlantic salmon smolts and the introduction of strict feed quota systems limiting the use of salmon feed by farmers (Anon., 1996); 2) current total dependence of intensive farming systems for salmonids, eels and marine finfish upon capture fisheries for sourcing their feed inputs (i.e. in their use of fishmeal, fish oil and other fishery by-products in compound aquafeeds) and the consequent urgent need for the sector to reduce this dependence by using alternative more sustainable dietary protein and lipid sources (Tacon and Barg, in press); 3) decreased mollusc production within southern European countries due to the increasing occurrence of toxic red tides and consequent incidence of diarrhetic and paralytic shellfish poisoning, and to a lesser extent due to the increasing occurrence of parasitic diseases (Figueras et al., 1996; Martinez et al., 1996). For example, shellfish poisoning caused by red tides was responsible for the drastic drop in mussel production in Spain, from a high of 247,000 mt in 1986 to 90,000 mt in 1993; and 4) increasing competition with other users for available resources, including water and sites, coupled with growing public awareness about environmental issues and increasing pressure for "clean and green" aquatic food products (Muir, 1996; Rosenthal, 1997).

In most central and eastern European countries, the main issue faced by the aquaculture sector has been the drastic changes resulting from political-economic transition, which resulted in: 1) the collapse of state subsidies to the sector; 2) high inflation and interest rates within these countries, and the consequent lack of capital for the purchase of inputs, including fish feeds; 3) the loss of traditional markets for selling their subsidized aquaculture production (within the former USSR area and domestically); and 4) adverse weather conditions in central European countries resulting in drought and consequent increased competition for water resources (FAO, 1996; Staykov, 1994; Szczerbowski, 1996; Varadi and Jeney, 1994).

As in many other regions of the world, increasing demand for fishery products coupled with diminishing supplies from capture fisheries will continue to stimulate the further development and growth of the aquaculture sector within Europe. In 1996, export revenues from farmed salmonids in Norway reached US$1.1 thousand million, and it is generally expected that the production of Atlantic salmon alone in Norway will exceed 1 million mt by the year 2005 (Aalvik, 1997; Torrisen, 1995). In general, further expansion within the EU and northern European countries is likely to be constrained by limited site availability, competition for aquatic resources, stricter environmental controls, market development and cheaper imports from non-European countries. Apart from the northern European countries, where coastal site availability is not generally regarded as a limiting factor, considerable scope also exists for increased marine finfish and mollusc production in southern European countries such France, Spain, Italy, Malta and Greece through species diversification, the development of offshore cage technology, and improved product visibility and consumption through pro-active generic marketing.

In central and eastern European countries, freshwater aquaculture production is likely to increase in the future with increasing economic stability and the continued privatization of the sector, and with access to new potential markets in western Europe. Production increases will largely be achieved through the further intensification of existing traditional extensive and semi-intensive farming practices to more intensive farming methods and through the culture of higher-value species such as salmonids, marine finfish, eels, catfish, freshwater crustaceans, and molluscs.

Aalvik, B. 1997. Aquaculture in Norway. Paper presented at the FAO/NACA/WHO Study Group Meeting on Food Safety Issues associated with Products from Aquaculture, 22-26 July 1997, Bangkok, Thailand.

Anon. 1996. Norwegians destroy 40 million smolts. Scottish Fish Farmer No.87, p.7

FAO 1996. Fisheries and aquaculture in Europe: situation and outlook in 1996. FAO Fisheries Circular No. 911. Rome, FAO. 54p.

Figueras, A., J.A.F. Robledo and B. Novoa. 1996. Brown ring disease and parasites in clams (Ruditapes decussatus and R. philippinarum) from Spain and Portugal. Journal of Shellfish Research 15(2):363-368.

Laureti, E. 1996. Fish and fishery products. World apparent consumption statistics based on food balance sheets (1961-1993). FAO Fisheries Circular No.821 Revision 3. Rome, FAO. 235p.

Martinez, A.G, Rodriquez Vazquez, J.A., Thibault, P., and M.A. Quilliam. 1996. Simultaneous occurrence of diarrhetic and paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in Spanish mussels in 1993. Natural Toxins 4(2):72-79

Muir, J. 1996. Evaluating and minimizing the short and long term environmental impact of intensive fish farming, p. 198-205. In European Aquaculture Trends and Outlook (A.G.J.Tacon). FAO/GLOBEFISH Research Programme Vol.46, Rome, FAO.

Pedini, M. 1996. Aquaculture in the GFCM countries: its evolution from 1984 to 1994. FAO Aquaculture Newsletter 14:18-23.

Rosenthal, H. 1997. Environmental issues and the interaction of aquaculture with other competing resource users, p.1-13. In M.D.B.Burt and S.L.Waddy (eds.) Coldwater Aquaculture to the Year 2000. Aquaculture Association of Canada Special Publication No.2. Canada, St. Andrews.

Staykov, Y. 1994. Economic problems of aquaculture development in Bulgaria during the transition period into a market economy, p.91-96. In Y.C.Shang, P-S.Leung, C-S.Lee, M-S.Su and I-C.Liao (eds.) Socioeconomics of Aquaculture. Tungkang Marine Laboratory Conference Proceedings 4. Taiwan, Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute.

Szczerbowski, J. 1996. European aquaculture production trends and outlook - carp, p.157-168. In European Aquaculture Trends and Outlook (A.G.J.Tacon). FAO/GLOBEFISH Research Programme Vol.46, Rome, FAO.

Tacon, A.G.J. and U.C. Barg. (In Press). Major challenges to feed development for marine and diadromous finfish and crustacean species. In S.S. De Silva (ed.) Tropical Mariculture. London, Academic Press.

Torrissen, O.J. 1995. Norwegian salmon culture 1 million tons in 2005? Aquaculture Europe 19(4):6-11.

Varadi, L. and Z. Jeney. 1994. Socioeconomic aspects of aquaculture in Hungary during the transition period to a market economy, p.77-89. In Y.C.Shang, P-S.Leung, C-S.Lee, M-S.Su and I-C.Liao (eds.) Socioeconomics of Aquaculture. Tungkang Marine Laboratory Conference Proceedings No. 4. Taiwan, Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute.