Aqua-lit

Did you know that in Europe, 20% of our seafood consumption comes from aquaculture?

Nausicaa has become involved in the AQUA-LIT project by supporting fish farmers in their ambition to reduce their environmental footprint and combat marine pollution.

Thanks to the Learning Labs, an innovative method combining collaborative workshops with professionals from the sector and interviews with experts, the project has fostered a better understanding of non-organic marine waste linked to aquaculture activities, sharing of best practices and preventive actions and recommendations for decision-makers.

A toolbox has been created and provided to producers to help them quantify, assess, prevent, reduce and recycle the waste associated with their activities.

Through AQUA-LIT, Nausicaá has contributed its experience as a catalyst and creator of dialogue between scientists, professionals and the general public. Nausicaá's expertise is sought

• to create a methodology for the impact study: interviews with fish farmers. This follows on from work previously initiated in the Sea For Society and Marina projects, which combined research and innovation.
• to organise "Learning Labs" based on this methodology in Germany, Belgium and Spain, in three basins: the English Channel-North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

They allowed stakeholders from the entire aquaculture sector to discuss and more effectively share their knowledge and expertise.

The results have been compiled into a collection of tools and best practices, as well as a smartphone application.

Nausicaá has also produced a sustainability plan to ensure that the results of the project continue to be used and developed in the future.

The AQUA-LIT project has received funding from the European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Fund (EMAF).

This fund promotes a more competitive fishery and aquaculture economy based on knowledge, innovation and high employment.