Aquaculture SMEs and associations

Aquaculture will have to play an increasingly important role in meeting the global demand for fisheries products as the world population continues to expand and fisheries stocks approach their biological limits. Although world aquaculture production reached an all time high of 28.8 million metric tons valued at $45.4 billion (US$) in 1997, aquaculture production will have to expand at least two fold to meet world demand for fisheries products by the year 2025. Global production of farmed fish and shellfish has more than doubled in the past 15 years. Many people believe that such growth relieves pressure on ocean fisheries, but the opposite is true for some types of aquaculture. On balance, global aquaculture production still adds to world fish supplies; however, if the growing aquaculture industry is to sustain its contribution to world fish supplies, it must reduce wild fish inputs in feed and adopt more ecologically sound management practices. All nutrients commonly used to describe possible eutrophication risks induced by aquaculture appeared to be affected by loadings (except for silicates).

SCHeMA sensors could prevent potential nutrients loading and eutrophication, by monitoring the concentration of nutrients otherwise prevent potential impact from trace metals and to provide early warning of HAB to the farm.

Environmental Protection Agencies

The European Environment Agency and the local national agency provide sound, independent information on the environment for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public. In close collaboration with European Environmental Information and Observation Network and its 33 member countries, the EEA gathers data and produces assessments on a wide range of topics related to the environment.

SCHeMA integrated system and/or the single sensors could contribute to enhance ocean observing capabilities and support policies of several EU directives such as Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Waters Directives.

Port authorities

The role of Port Authority is to promote and protect the commerce of the Port District and to undertake port and regional improvements. These include the development of major infrastructure but also to manage the port activities by following an Environmental code of practices, influencing public policy in the European Union in order to achieve a safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable European port sector operating as a key element of a transport industry.

In particular SCHeMA Integrated System could be used to prevent oil spill, HAB and heavy metals contamination and to avoid environmental pollution of the port area.

Research Institutions

The core mission of the Research institutions generally is to encourage communication and interaction between researchers with the ultimate objective of improving the quality of survey research and to encourage its appropriate use in academic, policy and commercial research.

SCHeMA Integrated System and/or the single sensors could be a new source of inspiration to researchers and contribute to enhance ocean observing capabilities and support policies of several EU directives.