Sustainable Aquaculture Joint guidance document on MSFD and WFD DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries & DG Environment

Background Union Strategic Guidelines - COM(2013)229 Reduce administrative burdens Facilitate access to water and space Improve competitiveness Exploit competitive advantages – "level playing field"

Guidance documents on Aquaculture Guidelines on the integration of aquaculture in Natura2000 were published in 2012 to ensure compliance with requirements of Birds/Habitats Directives By Q2 2014 Commission intends to prepare guidance documents addressing the requirements of the WFD and the MSFD in relation to aquaculture

Issues to be covered Needs of the aquaculture sector: how the MSFD and WFD help ensuring the precondition for aquaculture production Recommendations for national and local authorities on the concrete implementation of the MSFD and WFD: how to achieve good water quality while creating a positive environment for aquaculture development Obligations for aquaculture producers arising specifically from MSFD, WFD and other relevant environmental legislation: specific obligations, interactions between different pieces of legislation, ways of reducing aquaculture's impacts Synergies between environmental protection and aquaculture production: common needs, mutual benefits, best practices; increasing social acceptance of sustainable aquaculture

Process The guidelines / guidance should build on, complement and be compatible with the existing guidance on aquaculture and Natura 2000 They will not be of legally binding nature, will not make new rules, but will provide further guidance on the application of those that already exist The guidelines will be based on work done under a support contract (work starting in October 2013) and on contributions during workshops in late 2013 and 1st half 2014, organised with national authorities, experts, aquaculture associations and NGOs Final draft to be presented to MSCG and SCG

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