WHAT IS THE AQUAFLOW PROJECT ?

The Aquaflow Project aims to establish a wider and more rapid circulation of information concerning the results and progress of EU funded (and, eventually, relevant non-EU funded) programmes for research, technological development and  demonstration (RTD) in aquaculture and whose target is the potential end user in Europe. Users will include farmers, technicians, vets and other professional people who are active in the aquaculture sector. It is a project that is being  supported by EU funding (FAIR-CT97-3837) under the FAIR RTD programme.

For Aquaflow to develop, a new network has been established that focuses on communicating understandable data that is of  interest and of use to the end-user. This project and its network encourages 2-way communication, notably for refining the services of the network and developing an efficient and a long-term sustainable system of information dissemination.

Aquaflow distributes one-page summaries of specific research projects through a number of distribution mechanisms and  each datasheet is available in the national language(s) of the country concerned. Each country in the network has its own sub-network that involves the Producer Associations and scientists.

Aquaflow also collects feedback from the small and medium aquaculture enterprises (SMEs) to be able to identify further the needs for aquaculture research & technology and associate information services as well as being able to respond to problems and bottlenecks encountered in the project.
 

BACKGROUND TO T HE AQUAFLOW CONCEPT

1. The development of European commercial (fish) aquaculture has taken place mainly since the 1970s where salmon, seabass, seabream and eels have joined carp and trout as the major fish species produced and sectoral  production is growing at 5-20% (dependent on the species) while prices in all sectors are reducing or have stabilised at lower levels than initially achieved.
2. The potential growth of the sector is influenced by the need to develop improved technology and to increase the awareness of the production sector, particularly the smaller units (nearly all aquaculture companies are SMEs or  family-owned firms), of the options being examined and of the potential and real applications that can be provide productive and economic benefit to their business.
3. Research is divided into trans-national (EU funded), national and international projects where some are also receiving funding assistance from private corporations. There is a clear need for continuing research to improve  the producersŐ existing practices and to provide options in the face of market competition which has severely affected the economic performance of the EU aquaculture production sector.
4. There is already a degree of communication and exchange of information between some professionals involved in aquaculture (producers, researchers, government), notably those with a well established aquaculture tradition (e.g.  oyster farmers in France). In other areas, however, this information exchange is often fragmented due to the historical importance of a production sector within a Member State, and to the efficiency and/or financial  resources of such a sector.
5. Many of the Professional Associations, given the economic crisis that is being experienced by many of the production sectors, have moved their focus away from technical problems and are paying more attention to  matters such as marketing and the effects of legislation. In some Member States, the weakening economics of the producers has had a knock-on effect onto the Professional Association at a time when such Associations need  to be as strong as possible in respect of the services provided to their Members.
6. International communication between aquaculturists has been much improved by trans-national research projects, by international networks such as the CRAFT and Innovation Relay Centres, by the availability of international  databases such as CORDIS and ASFA, by classical dissemination means, such as publication (in scientific journals, proceedings, books, periodicals, manuals...), presentation at conferences and through the services and activities  of international associations and specialised networks. Nonetheless, the dispersion of the industry (species, economic importance, location) and language barriers have hampered the development of efficient, consistent  communication at a trans-national European level between scientists and industry.
7. While many academic organisations have the possibility of using electronic tools (Electronic Mail and the Internet) for communication, their use is the exception rather than the rule in the aquaculture production and service  sector. The use of Information technology is increasing slowly but many of the small producers do not use such tools yet. The transfer of research results to the production sector is seen as being too slow and the common  use of such technology, in line with the Aquaflow network, should not only speed up the communication process but render it more efficient.
8. Many fish farmers/end users/aquaculturists are not linguists and, in recognising this fact, a key point of the Aquaflow project is to be able to provide information in all of the European languages.

WHY IS THE AQUAFLOW PROJECT BEING DONE?

One of the main aims of Aquaflow is to allow the end user to obtain maximum benefit from the results of EU-sponsored aquaculture research projects. The need for a dedicated network for the rapid and smooth dissemination of results has been  recognised. The timely and wide distribution of relevant information will avoid the duplication of effort and will allow the end  user to stay at the competitive edge. The early transfer of information is essential for both the end-user and the researcher to develop new products and processes which can lead to development, consolidation and expansion into new markets.

By increasing the interaction between the research centres and the sectoral SMEs, the project should increase the competitiveness of the industry, which will result in improved operation and the creation of additional employment  opportunities.

Areas of specific interest include new technology, research, environmental considerations, good farming practice, improved processing conditions (e.g. HACCP & ISO standards), legislation, disease prevention and treatment.

Large amounts of money have been invested in aquaculture research and continuing research is necessary to support and  to enhance the development of this developing and important industry. However, it is also essential to disseminate the research results to allow the industry to benefit maximally from these financial, human and technical efforts.

Aquaflow has developed to become an effective network for disseminating results of research programmes to the end users across Europe. Aquaflow also encourages communication and interaction trans-nationally among all people that are involved in aquaculture and therefore will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the industry. Good research that is complemented by a good flow of information and interaction through meetings, networking and co-operation amongst end-users and aquaculture organisations that service the industry provide the best guarantee for answering the needs of  European aquaculture in the long term.
 

SUMMARY OF AQUAFLOW OBJECTIVES

1. Provide a wider accessibility of information on aquaculture research results to the potential end-user
2. Improve communication and exchange of information concerning aquaculture research results for the benefit of the end user
3. Inform end-users of relevant results and innovations in their own language
4. Stimulate the dissemination/application of research results through presentations/demonstrations at National and International conferences/meetings/workshops
5. Improve and consolidate national and international contacts between academic and Professional Associations
6. Establish and improve communication lines between end-users and researchers to stimulate 2-way communication and to stimulate feedback on specific needs and potential

WHO TO CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION?

A dedicated WebSite exists for Aquaflow at http://www.aquaflow.org

 A full list of the National Aquaflow Representatives will be published shortly with the associate contact details.

Aquaflow is being managed by
The European Aquaculture Society (E.A.S.)
jointly with

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (F.E.A.P.)