Opportunities and limitations for the introduction of circular economy principles in EU aquaculture based on the regulatory framework

Citation

Regueiro L, Newton R, Soula M, Mendez D, Kok B, Little DC, Pastres R, Johansen J & Ferreira M (2021) Opportunities and limitations for the introduction of circular economy principles in EU aquaculture based on the regulatory framework. Journal of Industrial Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13188

Abstract
EU aquaculture produces only a small fraction of the internal demand of aquatic foods, but boosting this activity must be done in compliance with high standards of environmental protection and social benefits, as fostered by the policies on circular economy recently launched by the EU. Nevertheless, the assessment of the environmental sustainability of aquaculture and other food production systems is complex, due to the different tools and approached available. Moreover, the current EU regulatory framework may be restricting the options to implement some circular solutions. This paper examines the controversies related to the assessment of environmental impacts of aquaculture processes and the different available circular solutions, with a focus on the best options to valorise aquaculture side streams and how current regulatory burdens and gaps should be solved.

Keywords
sustainability; circular economy; industrial ecology; policy analysis; life cycle assessment (LCA); animal by-product

Notes
Output Status: Forthcoming/Available Online

Journal
Journal of Industrial Ecology

People

Professor Dave Little

Professor, Institute of Aquaculture

Dr Richard Newton

Lecturer in Resilient Food Systems, Institute of Aquaculture