in one sentence: The ASEM Aquaculture Platform is an open and permanent dialogue space for EU and ASEM members that are involved or interested in sustainable aquaculture.

in one paragraph: The Platform intends to work out an action-oriented agenda for co-operation and to develop a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue, networking and continued coordination concerning sustainable aquaculture between EU and Asia. Through its different stakeholders the platform aims to reconcile ecological and socio-economic demands and introduce or consolidate concepts of sustainability in aquaculture development in both regions. It will create a forum for experts and policy-makers, and by disseminating knowledge up to policy levels as well as down to farmers.

the objectives: Through its different stakeholders the platform aims to reconcile ecological and socio-economic demands and introduce or consolidate concepts of sustainability in aquaculture development in both regions. Throughout the various activities attention will be paid to the following societal concerns:

1. Fair trade, food safety, nutritional security and quality standards
2. Environmental sustainability
3. Social equitability

the activities: The platform strives to reach the objectives through following activities:

1. Build & manage a platform
2. Thematic workshops
3. Dissemination within & beyond the platform
4. Facilitate partnerships & source funding for new projects.

the stakeholders: The platforms brings together representatives from all relevant stakeholders, being:

• Research
• Private sector
• Administration & Government
• Civil society, including education

the societal concerns explained: Three broad inter-related areas of societal concerns were identified which affect societies in Asia and Europe, though in somewhat different ways.

1. Trade, food safety, nutritional security and quality standards
   • Trade opportunities, constraints and risks (inputs, outputs and services)
   • Maintenance/establishment of markets, market stability
   • Consumer nutrition, consumer perception of industry
   • Traceability, certification, labelling
2. Environmental sustainability
   • Biological and technical issues (husbandry, grow-out systems, animal health, feeds and feeding technology)
   • Identification and calibration of sustainability indicators
   • Integrated assessment of production systems (monoculture, polyculture, various combinations of aquaculture with agriculture and forestry, coastal zone management, etc.)
   • Genetics, breeding, genomics and stock improvement
3. Social equitability
   • Support to social cohesion with particular emphasis on smallholder and barriers to entry
   • Recognition of gender issues in sustainable aquaculture
   • Explore and use consultative and participatory approaches to research and management.

expected results

• a smoothly operating network;
• a durable, long-term dialogue between the different stakeholders resulting in durable commitments (Codes of conduct, …);
• workshops that extend a message among and beyond platform members (public opinion, political agenda’s, …);
• a comprehensive database, freely accessible via a own homepage with information relevant to sustainable aquaculture in EU and ASEM;
• increased transfer of knowledge between different regions & stakeholders;
• closer linkage and increased efficiency of European & Asian aquaculture research;
• increased efficiency in fund raising and project proposal success.