Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food-producing sectors worldwide. Despite the large Portuguese coastline and the fact that the Portuguese are one of the largest per-capita consumers of fresh fish, Portugal is also one of the lowest producers of farmed marine produce across the Atlantic Arc. This case study will examine the Centro region of the Portuguese coastal area as a living lab for a Blue Growth Pathway to develop guidelines for sustainable aquaculture. The Centro region is home to some of the larger aquaculture farms in Portugal. The output of this case study will be quantitative indicators for assessing sustainable development in aquaculture. Sustainability will be assessed across 4 dimensions: economic, social, environmental and governance. This case study is being led by CIIMAR.

Blue Growth pathway for commercial fishing

As part of the MOSES project, how sustainable Blue Growth in aquaculture may be further enhanced through the application of a Transition Management approach was examined using the case study of Portugal’s Centro region aquaculture sector. If and how aquaculture’s sustainable Blue Growth has been achieved so far is also assessed. Using the Transition Management framework, the potential of Blue Growth is identified by comparing drivers and barriers likely to impact the growth profile of aquaculture and assessing how the sector could respond to sustainably realise its potential.

The study concludes by outlining sustainable Blue Growth pathways that can address governance and economic barriers, including the simplification of licencing processes; facilitating access to space and water; and reinforcing sectoral competitiveness.<