European shellfish industry warns of ‘crisis’

Europe’s shellfish industry has the potential to solve many key policy challenges – but the industry itself is in “crisis”. That was the warning last week from the European Mollusc Producers Association (EMPA), which held its first event in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The European Mollusc Producers Association (EMPA) brings together national or regional associations and bodies representing mollusc producers within the European Union and the UK.

With members from six European Countries – Spain, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy and Ireland – the EMPA represents 90% of the companies or operators involved in the production and marketing of shellfish in Europe. The EMPA is currently chaired by Addy Risseeuw from the Netherland Producers Association.

Shellfish growers rely on the quality of the waters in which their animals live and increasingly suffer from contamination by diseases or pollutants. This is one of the main reasons why the EU shellfish sector is in crisis today despite being a key sector to address many policy concerns.

The EMPA presented its Manifesto for the Sustainable Development of the European Shellfish Sector, which among other things calls for the space allocated to shellfish farming to be tripled and for improvements in water quality.

The Manifesto’s last point calls for the creation of an “EU Common Aquaculture Policy” setting binding objectives and measurable development indicators as the only way to reverse the downward trend in production and unlock the full potential of the EU’s shellfish sector.

The mollusc producers are calling for the strict implementation of the environmental regulations related to wastewater treatments and water management, for political support for the sector’s development, and for the valorisation and compensation of the ecosystem services provided by the sector.

Addy Risseeuw, Chair of the European Mollusc Producers Association, in Strasbourg

Bold ambitions

“A profession that contributes to the objectives of food autonomy. A sector of activity that creates jobs. A key player in the sustainability of our environment, acting as nitrogen sinks or a means to combat coastal erosion,” explained French EPP Member of the European Parliament Isabelle Le Callennec who was hosting the Strasbourg event.

Shellfish farming is the animal-protein production sector with the lowest environmental impact. The “EU strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030” call for the “diversification of EU aquaculture towards non-fed and low-trophic species with a lower environmental footprint”^[2].

“The ambitions of the European Union for aquaculture are as bold as they are necessary” declared Addy Risseeuw, EMPA President, in his speech.

He added: “The EU envisions a future where sustainable aquaculture plays a pivotal role in food security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience. Unfortunately, the reality on the ground is very different. Not only the sector is not growing: we are decreasing year after year.”

Mollusc production is the largest segment of aquaculture in the EU, with an annual production of over 500 million tonnes. At European level, the shellfish production sector represents an annual production worth 1170 million euros, and more than 50% of aquaculture production. However, this key player in the aquaculture industry has been in steady decline for 20 years.

The EMPA is a member of the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) and the Market Advisory Council (MAC).