Workpackage Objectives

WP2 Accurately identify industry-wide issues and options

WP2 will produce a framework to research and summarise the key issues constraining the growth of aquaculture in Europe: inland, coastal and offshore. This will include policy and management aspects, environmental suitability, co-use, and market issues. It will take into account specificities of different aquaculture segments and covering the regional diversity of aquaculture in Europe and Internationally

WP3 Develop and deliver tailored tools

This WP aims to characterise existing tools for assessing spatial issues in relation to aquaculture and external factors such as climate change that will influence selection of aquaculture sites. Moreover, operational tool(s) will be customised or developed further allowing for a risk-based analysis of spatial management options to support the licensing process and facilitate investments, defined in a given spatial planning context taking into account the constraints identified in WP2.

WP4 Work collaboratively with stakeholders on validation of tools

WP4 will use 16 case studies of a wide range of types (table 1.2), environmental characteristics and locations, with defined ecosystem boundaries in space and time. We will identify the relevant stakeholders in each case through close engagement of local end-users to determine the key spatial issue(s) relating to aquaculture (interacting with WP2) to test and assess relevant tools and document their utility (interacting with WP3, tasks 3.1-3.4). We will write reports for each case study, which will contribute to the synthesis of the project (WP5) and will be key products for dissemination and impact creation (WP6).

WP5 Synthesise outcomes for post-project legacy and impact

The objective of WP5 is to evaluate outcomes from WPs 2, 3 and 4, providing a synthesis of the lessons learned in the case studies (across scales, environments and aquaculture types); establish criteria and guidance for selection and application of tested tools; and construct a decision-support system integrating tools and risk-based analysis of spatial management options (toolbox), providing information to WP6.

WP6 Impacts through effective Knowledge Exchange

This WP is designed to support the aquaculture sector by developing and promoting a range of tailored project outputs and dedicated dissemination initiatives. Its key objective is to work with the aquaculture industry, academia, coastal managers, EU citizens, local and regional and planners and associated regulatory authorities in order to provide aquaculture with the knowledge, understanding and capacity to secure the space required for the sustainable growth of this key maritime economic sector.