978 Interactions between aquaculture and the environment

Aquaculture currently faces a significant challenge: how to fulfill the expectation of alleviating the pressure that fishing fleets exercise on fish populations without leading to environmental problems. It is particularly expected to develop widely in the near future in the Mediterranean’s European, Southern and Eastern countries. In order to avoid potential environmental disruption issues, it is important that the aquaculture industry be provided with clear and user friendly guidelines to ensure its sustainable development. The objective of these guidelines is to propose recommendations for responsible and sustainable aquaculture, giving support to decision makers, aquaculture producers and stakeholders in the Mediterranean region.