Doc. 7674
2 October 1996

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on aquaculture and sea ranching

presented by MM. GONZALEZ LAXE, ARATA and others

1.       Aquaculture and sea-ranching have tremendous potential for the production of food and raw materials for a variety of end-uses.

2.       In 1993, cultured fish production accounted for about 16% (15.9 million tons - excluding seaweeds) of total production, double its share one decade earlier. Some 21% of fish production for human consumption is cultured. 65% of total aquaculture production comes from fresh water. China is by far the biggest producer with some 10 million tons annually. Europe also has an important production. Norway is the leading salmon producing country, accounting for 48% of world production (250,000 tons), but other Atlantic countries are also expanding their production. Aquaculture in Mediterranean countries represents 4.9% of the world total (682,000 tons in 1993).

3.       The total value of fish trade exceeded US $40,000 million in 1993. The importance of developing countries in the international trade of fish and fishery products has increased, accounting for 48% of world trade in 1993. The net export of fishery products by developing countries were US $11,000 million in 1993 - much higher than coffee (US $6,000 million) or other agricultural commodities.

4.       In addition to aquaculture for food production, there is considerable scope for other products, using cultured sea animals or sea plants. Many branches of industry (chemical, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, etc) are already using products from the sea.

5.       Aquaculture has contributed to new economic activities and developments in a major way in coastal and rural areas.

6.       Progress has also been made with regard to sea ranching, in particular by protecting and increasing the production of young fish. The development of sea ranching requires close international co-operation.

7.       But aquaculture has also had its set-backs and been subject to criticism. Shrimp production in China for example, dropped from 220,000 tons in 1992 to 55,000 tons in 1993 and 35,000 tons in 1994, due to disease. Complaints have been made that cultured fish were given antibiotics to avoid infection. Feed for fish has also been accused of containing other ingredients that could be harmful to consumers. Finally, it is claimed that escaped cultured fish cause "genetic pollution" among the wild species and that fish farming causes important water pollution.

8.       For these reasons, the Assembly considers it important to study:

-       the future role of aquaculture and sea ranching in Europe and in the world;

-       how aquaculture installations are planned and operated;

-       the socio-economic and ecological consequences of aquaculture and sea ranching developments for coastal and rural regions;

-       the necessary conditions for the production of healthy products, in particular regarding seafood;

-       the political instruments needed to safeguard a sound and sustainable development of this industry.

9.       The Assembly will, on the basis of this study, put forward recommendations to member governments and the European Union on their policies regarding aquaculture and sea ranching.

Signed: 1

Gonzalez Laxe, Spain, SOC

Arata, Italy, EPP

Alexander, United Kingdom, EDG

Degn, Denmark, SOC

Err, Luxembourg, SOC

Figel, Slovakia, EPP

Goop, Liechtenstein, EPP

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Guirado, Spain, SOC

Hunt, United Kingdom, EDG

Johansson I.B., Sweden, SOC

Mackie of Benshie, United Kingdom, LDR

Martinez, Spain, SOC

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

Yürür, Turkey, EDG

1 ¹       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left