Demonstrating and debating how European RTD can respond to policy needs www.profetpolicy.info

dissemination of European RTD …since 1998 Original concept RTD (Technical) Leaflets Simple summary results relevance application

four main objectives Improve the flow of EU RTD results – showing relevance to policy development and application source & summarise results in fisheries and aquaculture – show relevance to European policies provide forums for exchange of views of stakeholders identify research needs to support policy definition within the sectors

six partners www.profetpolicy.info Federation of European Aquaculture Producers European Aquaculture Society International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Eurofish European Assoc. of Fisheries Producers Organisations AquaTT www.profetpolicy.info

Clear focus on policy www.profetpolicy.info European policy market policy research objectives policy in aquaculture policy in fisheries Glossary of policy terms www.profetpolicy.info

nine trans-national workshops presentation of policy - direction presentation of research results exchange of opinions identify needs make conclusions formulate recommendations

nine workshops Aquaculture Fisheries coldwater marine Bergen Mediterranean marine Athens continental freshwater Warsaw southern freshwater Treviso Baltic Sea fisheries Vilnius N. Atlantic fisheries Dublin Mediterranean fisheries Marseille North Sea fisheries Copenhagen Atlantic fisheries & aquaculture Vigo Review achievements, conclusions, recommendations Brussels

Participation – Specifics 70 participants per workshop (average) 10 countries represented/workshop (average) National majority usual 2 Commission representatives TRANSLATION – provided at 7/9 workshops A definite requirement for stakeholder interest Commission presence – VERY IMPORTANT! Debate – stimulated by POLICY and interesting projects….that are applicable to the sector

Participation – Specifics NGOs – on 4 occasions Molluscs – with Vigo exception – absent very little information and communication on project results from mollusc researchers/producers Local Organisations/Government Always responded for opening and welcome Most local organisers found sponsorship Post-event enthusiasm

Workshop structure Regional development – Role of research Policy & Regulatory Framework RTD needs related to Policy RTD needs and sustainable development Support for development – FP7 promoted Review of Aquaculture Strategy Future [research] needs Debate often went into parallel discussions on how the business would develop (more aquaculture than fisheries)

Research – Presentations More than 70 presentations on individual projects – by coordinator or national rep Sometimes problematic for ‘finished’ projects Some difficulties for scientists to adapt to a broader audience From Nov 2007, EATIP (Aquaculture Technology Platform) presented in all Profet ‘aquaculture’ Vigo had 3 TP presentations (1 fish – 2 aq)

nine policy & thematic leaflet compilations Aquaculture TLs 122 published on web Sorted by policy relevance Fisheries TLs 95 published on web Sorted by relevance to CFP 24 Policy documents written - prepared on thematic basis TL selections agreed prior to each workshop – prepared as PDF – printing +/-2 days – sent by courier to local organiser

nine policy & thematic leaflet compilations

Achievements The interpretation and understanding of sustainability as a guiding principle for both aquaculture and fisheries Obtained an improved understanding of European legislation, hence the policies that drive legislation Improving communication and finding the appropriate means to develop this, in real time, to policy-makers, stakeholders and the public Profet Policy focused initially on dissemination issues for RTD, provided a platform for communication and debate on strategic issues of importance to fisheries and aquaculture Conclusions on www.profetpolicy.info

Lessons learnt– Aquaculture Advance publicity & regional support essential to assure good attendance Local associations essential for organisation Need centralised support for such European projects Technical and managerial personnel attend Communications on ‘finished’ projects difficult to organise Research on operational improvements requested Vs. Welfare, impacts… i.e. more Collaborative projects

Dissemination actions – Fisheries Challenge to reach stakeholders RACs were efficient partners Professional fishing sector often present Environmental NGO’s not strongly represented Challenge to find researchers that can communicate effectively Research is seen as remote from sector’s priorities

Dissemination actions – Fisheries Links between research and fishing sector often conflictual (more than in aquaculture) Research associated with stock assessment and hence reduction of fishing possibilities Scrutiny and hence control Low relevance for answering industry needs But interest from sector increases as Sector is under increasing pressure Economic (oil prices, fish prices…) Social (attractiveness of activities) Environmental (impact of fishing activities)

Identification of Needs – Fisheries Collaborative/cooperative research is seen as crucial Improve the trust between research and stakeholders More research is needed: On socio-economic issues that the sector is facing Topics where private sector can see benefits from Away from just biological aspects

Lessons learnt – Fisheries Need for more coordination on the fisheries level Not enough coherence in the approaches Need for research needs assesments to be fed into broader reflection process Diversity in the fisheries sector is higher than in aquaculture Interest for research is lower as most research is seen by the sector as « unproductive »

Common Recommendations Improve communication at all levels Explain why research is done and how it relates to Policy (and which one!) Improvement in operations Effects on the sector Get the best speakers (where possible) Facilitate debate – otherwise a ‘quiet’ audience Demonstrate how recommendations can be translated into actions

Supporting governance and multi-stakeholder participation in aquaculture research and innovation Activity call: Sustainable Production and management of biological resources from land, forest and aquatic environments

Project proposal Prepared by FEAP, EAS and AQUATT for January 2009 call Extension of PROFET POLICY project partners (aquaculture only) Submitted by EATIP asbl (sole participant/legal entity) Start date – 1 February 2010

Concept & Objectives (1) Create an operational framework for dialogue, between The aquaculture industry (value chain), The research community and The policy makers based on best governance practices Exploit the potential for innovation and technological development in the European aquaculture value chain

Concept & Objectives (2) Actively promote the exploitation, dissemination and communication of Community aquaculture RTD Improve how RTD & innovation knowledge is managed, disseminated and transferred

Multi-Stakeholder Workshops 4 Key events - covering Coldwater aquaculture - Northern Inland freshwater aquaculture – Central Mediterranean & southern aquaculture Shellfish aquaculture 1.5-2 day workshops produce Plan of Action for the Area covered Recommendations for realisation

Implementation action plan Completion-recommendations based on evaluation of High ranking issues Fundamental or Applied Research Academic or Industrial Collective/Cooperative Available funding mechanisms Public Private/industry