Indicator Fact Sheet

Trends in aquaculture production, and newly introduced cultured and associated species in European Seas.

Indicator Fact Sheet

Prod-ID: IND-25-en

Also known as: WEC 07b

This is an old version, kept for reference only.

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This page was archived on 03 Mar 2015 with reason: Other (New version data-and-maps/indicators/aquaculture-production-3/assessment was published)

Assessment made on 01 May 2004

Generic metadata

Classification

Topics:

DPSIR: Driving force

Identification

Indicator codes

WEC 07b

Contents

Policy issue: Is the deterioration of aguatic ecosystems and habitats prevented?

Figures

Trends in aquaculture production, and newly introduced cultured and associated species in European Seas.

Key assessment

A great number (124) of alien species have been introduced in relation to aquaculture purposes (deliberate introductions and accidental associated species) in European Waters. Examining the last 30 years (in order to compare the rate of introduction with known aquaculture production) their number have decreased (see Figure 1 and Table 1) suggesting the success of EU policies in regulating and safeguarding possible adverse effects of aquaculture-related environmental hazards.

The higher decline rate of associated species compared to the slower decline rate of deliberately introduced species (48 and 33% respectively) in conjunction with the small peak exhibited in the latter 1980s, supports the argument of improvement of environmental protection.