Decarbonisation of fisheries and aquaculture in the Region Emilia-Romagna

Peers from across Europe

Alongside Katharina Krell and Astrid Severin, our Thematic Experts on ‘Greener Europe’, four excellent peers participated in the peer review:

• Angelo Kouwenhoven, Senior Policy Advisor Domestic and International Fisheries Policy, Ministry of Agriculture, the Netherlands
• Jaap Broodman, Strategic adviser Fisheries and Aquaculture, Province of Zeeland, the Netherlands
• Claire Adam, Fishery and Aquaculture Unit, Maritime affairs Department, Regional Council of Brittany, France
• Dr Malte Dorow, Head of Department, Inland and Coastal Fisheries, State Research Agency, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

The coast in Emilia-Romagna (“Costa Romagnola”) is not only famous for its hospitality and beach resorts, but fishing and aquaculture are an integral part of the cultural and socioeconomic fabric of the region.

Within the Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) of the Emilia-Romagna Region (2021-2027), the S3 "Blue Growth" thematic area concerns all areas of activity of the maritime economy and aims at directing growth in the fisheries and aquaculture sector towards a more sustainable model.

In particular, the Blue Bioeconomy concerns the regional "fish supply chain" and provides support for innovation actions for marine biotic resources (sustainable and circular fishing and aquaculture, ecosystem services, biodiversity and combating the spread of alien species).

To achieve the presented policy targets, the peers recommended the following:

• Collect and analyse fleet data, types of ships, engine power, fuel type, age of ships and related CO2 emissions
   
• Understand CO2 emissions of each step in the supply chain (incl. logistics and transport, cold storage, waste generated, etc.)
   
• Aggregate data at regional level to assess current regional baseline situation and later to assess regional progress towards decarbonisation goals

• Build a regional vision for the decarbonisation and more circularity in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors along with a strategy, action plan involving all stakeholders in a multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach
   
• Enhance awareness-raising and training about sustainable fishing and waste reduction and promote regionally produced climate-friendly fish through certification and labels
   
• Provide funding support and incentives to encourage fuel switch as well as vessel retrofits to reduce emissions
   
• Provide funding to and encourage all relevant actors to decarbonise the entire value chain including ports, cold stores, fish markets and transport
   
• Proactively work on the prevention of fishing waste
   
• Encourage recycling programmes for fishing waste i.e. through biogas and composting
   
• Support innovative circular economy projects and structures and agreements such as the Clean Scheldt Agreement or the Oyster Covenant

You can find additional information about the peer review recommendations and their implementation by Emilia-Romagna region in the follow-up report.