|
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:
- Fair trade, food safety, nutritional security and quality standards
- Environmental sustainability
- Social equitability
|
the funding: The activities of the platform are funded on a project basis. Until now, the Platform was funded for 2 years by the European Commission - Directorate for Research, and for 4 years by the Flemish Administration for Economy, Research & Innovation.
read more in "milestones" |
|
the activities: The platform strives to reach the objectives through following activities:
- Build & manage a platform
- Thematic workshops
- Dissemination within & beyond the platform
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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 agendas,
);
- 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.
|
|
