Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture In Coastal Bays In China: A Potential Model For Application In European Seas?

With the rapid development of intensive aquaculture, the impact of the industry on the ecosystem has become serious, and in turn the degraded environment results in higher mortality of farmed species. The aquaculture industry worldwide is searching for sustainable methods. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is a promising aquaculture approach that by integrating the culture of fed species (such as finfish and crustaceans), inorganic extractive species (such as seaweeds), and organic extractive species (such as suspension- and deposit-feeders), can minimize the negative effects of aquaculture on the natural ecosystems. IMTA has been proposed for mitigating aquaculture waste release, and has advantages that may include a reduced ecological footprint, economic diversification and increased social acceptability of culturing systems. It has the promise to contribute to the sustainability of aquaculture. However, most studies have focused on land-based systems, and only a few have to-date investigated the possibilities of IMTA farming in open water. In the past fifteen years, the integration of seaweeds with marine fish culturing has been examined and studied in Canada, Japan, Chile, New Zealand, and USA. However, IMTA has been commercially successful at industrial scale in China for many years. The main purpose of this double slot-presentation is to illustrate coastal polyculture in China and to entertain a discussion on its potential for application in Europe, i.e. remaining research needs (e.g. on nutrient and energy flows, health risks), implications with regard to socio-economics of such large-scale systems, coastal planning issues, etc. This presentation wishes to initiate a lively discussion on the potential of IMTA in Europe. This fits in the activities of the ASEM Aquaculture Platform in its efforts to create awareness in Europe on the advantages of polyculture and off-shore cage culture by featuring successful examples from China and to develop joined research initiatives in support of developing applications of IMTA in Europe and Asia.