Advisory Councils Urge EU Regulatory Changes for By-products Valorisation

EU Advisory Councils Urge Regulatory Changes to Enhance Valorisation of Fisheries and Aquaculture By-products

A coalition of four European Union (EU) Advisory Councils (ACs) has submitted a detailed set of recommendations to the European Commission, calling for regulatory changes and enhanced cooperation to improve the valorisation of fisheries and aquaculture by-products.

The joint advice, approved by the North Sea AC, Market AC, Aquaculture AC, and Outermost Regions AC, highlights the significant potential for transforming the EU’s blue bioeconomy into a more sustainable and circular system.

Background

The recommendations were inspired by the policy event “Connecting the Dots for a Circular Blue Economy,” hosted by MEP Clara Aguilera at the European Parliament in January 2024. The event, organised by the Blue Bioeconomy ERA-NET Cofund (BlueBio), focused on identifying and improving ways to bring bio-based aquatic products and services to the market. Despite the potential for significant advancements, regulatory obstacles continue to hinder innovation, investment, and development within the European fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Case Studies

The joint advice presents three case studies illustrating the challenges and opportunities in valorising fisheries and aquaculture by-products:

1. BlueBioChain: This project aimed to transform wastewater from food industries and aquaculture farms into high-value products using microalgae. The study identified regulatory barriers related to safety, quality standards, and environmental regulations as significant challenges to further development.

2. MariGreen: Focusing on the production of fertilisers and biostimulants from blue residues, this project highlighted the difficulties in utilising fish processing waste and aquaculture sludge in agriculture due to existing EU regulations.

3. AquaHealth: This consortium explored the potential of bioactive compounds from microalgae microbiomes for sustainable health management in aquaculture. The project underscored the need for simplified and harmonised regulatory procedures to facilitate innovation.

Recommendations

The ACs provided several key recommendations to the European Commission, emphasising the need for a more flexible and supportive regulatory framework to foster innovation and sustainability in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors:

• Regulatory Flexibility: The ACs urged the Commission to revisit the 2009 Animal By-Product Regulation to align with circular economy principles, particularly by categorising fish excreta as manure, making it suitable for use as fertiliser.

• Collaboration and Coordination: The advice highlighted the importance of collaboration between decision-makers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to develop strategies that support the transition to a circular blue economy.

• Harmonisation of Regulations: The ACs called for harmonisation in feed regulations across EU member states to facilitate market entry and ensure consistent standards.

• Support for SMEs: The councils recommended that the Commission and Member States provide support to local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their sustainability and contribute to the blue bioeconomy.

Conclusion

The joint advice underscores the critical role of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors in transitioning to a sustainable food system and developing the bioeconomy. The ACs have called on the European Commission to consider their recommendations and engage in further dialogue to ensure that the regulatory framework supports innovation, sustainability, and the circularity of marine resources.

For further information or to engage in discussions on the recommendations, stakeholders are encouraged to reach out to the Advisory Councils’ Secretariats. The full recommendations are available for review, offering a comprehensive roadmap to overcoming the current challenges in valorising fisheries and aquaculture by-products.