ASEM Aquaculture Platform

Coordinator: University of Gent
Start: Contracts signed June 2004
Duration:
Funding: INCO Specific Support Actions

For more information on this initiative:

History

The ASEM (ASian European Meeting) inaugral summit took place in Bangkok in 1996. The meeting set the scence for co-operation and dialogue between 15 EU and 10 Asian countries. At a later meeting the members identified the key priority areas of aquaculture, clean production, water management and forestry as the areas for science and technology co-operation.

ASEM Member Countries:
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
Asia: Brunei Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The ASEM Aquaculture Platform is a multistakeholder platform for activities related to sustainable aquaculture between EU and ASEM member countries. AquaTT is a non-governmental organisation member of the platform with specific working interest in the education and training aspects pertaining to aquaculture.

Summary of the Platform:

proposals full title: ASEM Aquaculture Platform
proposals acronym: AqASEM
strategic objectives addressed: A.2. Rational use of natural resources
A.2.2. Reconciling multiple demands on coastal zones
A.3. Food security
A.3.3. Aquatic farming systems
proposal abstract:

The general objective of this proposal is to form a platform for activities related to sustainable aquaculture between EU and ASEM member countries. The platform will consist of a management committee, a steering committee and the platform members.
To achieve this objective the following activities are planned:
1. Build & manage the platform
2. Organise thematic workshops
3. Organise dissemination within and beyond the platform
4. Facilitate new partnerships & source necessary funding for new projects.
Throughout the various activities constant care will be taken to comply with three societal concerns: 1) Fair trade, Food security & safety; 2) Environmental sustainability; and 3) Social equitability.

This proposal solicits support for 24 months. Within this period the platform will be sufficiently established in order to successfully introduce an “Integrated Network” under the 6th Framework.

The proposal is relevant to important EU objectives such as “Rational use of natural resources”, “Reconciling multiple demands on coastal zones”, “Food safety” and “Aquatic farming systems”.
The proposed platform is a forum of equal partners where common issues are identified and adequate solutions are formulated based on joint knowledge. Involving all stakeholders will help to reconcile ecological and socio-economic demands and introduce or consolidate the concept of sustainability in aquaculture development in both regions. The platform will make a vital contribution to aquatic food safety by documenting this issue with sound research results, creating a forum for experts and policy-makers, and by disseminating knowledge up to policy levels as well as down to the farmers.

Impact is expected on research, policy, trade and farming practices.

Expected results are:
- a smoothly operating network;
- a durable and long-term dialogue between the different stakeholders resulting in new “Codes of conduct” and other durable commitments;
- workshops that extend a message among and beyond platform members (public opinion, political agendas, etcetera);
- a comprehensive database, freely accessible via a homepage with information relevant to sustainable aquaculture in EU and ASEM countries accessible through its website;
- increased transfer of knowledge between different regions and different stakeholders;
- closer linkage and increased efficiency of European and Asian aquaculture research;
- increased efficiency in fund raising and project proposal success.
Build and manage a platform of co-operating members
Organise Workshops
Disseminate Information
Source funding for New Projects

The platform will deliver six workshops during 2004/ 2005 under the following themes:

1. Food security and food safety
2. Regulatory aspects
3. Diseases
4. Education and training
5. Environment and ecosystem preservation
6. Domestication & breeding