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The European Commission published a Communication on a Strategy for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture in September 2002, a momentous event for the professional sector since this was the first time that European aquaculture had been considered as an entity in its own right, providing a valuable contribution to the fisheries sector.

The goal of the strategy is to provide a vision for the future while recognising certain characteristics and problems faced with this multi-faceted activity. Specific key issues have been identified, notably those of the protection of public health, environmental impacts and market stability, which have to contribute to developing a stable industry, guaranteeing secure long-term employment.

It is clear that the industry must be economically viable and self-sufficient in order to meet many of the objectives and challenges and a wide range of actions have been proposed. Many of these will require research, technology and training, facts that have been recognised by both the Commission and the European Parliament. This support for the sector comes, however, at a time when fundamental changes in the structure and operation of European Research have been implemented within the 6^th Framework programme.

The production sector has broadly welcomed the Strategy and is now looking towards its implementation within the Common Fisheries Policy in the forthcoming years.

After starting in scientific research and development, mainly on food product development, Courtney Hough has worked on the international development of aquaculture for 20 years, specialising in project development, market research and economic assessment.   Since 1993, he has also been General Secretary of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers and has worked on research and network projects in Europe (including ‘Aquaflow’ and ‘Pisces’) as well as training and educational projects (including ‘Orion’). He coordinated the development and the launch of the ‘Aquamedia’ communication initiative (www.aquamedia.org ) and assures its continuing activities.

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