AZA4ICE - Allocated Zones for circular Aquaculture to trigger the transition to an Inclusive and Circular Economy in aquaculture sector fostering new business opportunities and eco-consciousness society
In Euro-MED, fisheries & aquaculture have been key socioeconomic drivers for millennia, providing livelihoods & MED diet’s basis. Aquaculture is still key economic sector for the area, but faces many challenges: lack of strategies for sustainable development & public sector’s relevant low capacity; linear economy practices/business models traditionally used; complicated legal/licensing framework; lack of dialogue between stakeholders; limited access to space. The overarching challenge of sustainable aquaculture is jointly tackled in AZA4ICE, specifically in close-to-coast & inland waters, where it has great potential for local economies & consumption system. AZA4ICE amplifies the transition to Inclusive & Circular Economy in the sector, implementing innovative ecosystem spatial planning approach embedded with circular practices-production systems in close-to-coast & inland waters. It brings together stakeholders of 5-helix to increase their knowledge/skills, exchange experience & collaborate in drafting their vision & Action Plan for sector’s transition; thus filling the lack of dialogue & blunting conflicts of different uses, leading to new business opportunities & eco-consciousness society. AZA4ICE aquaculture spatial planning approach, stakeholder engagement methodology & Action Plans are the main outputs to be used by public authorities, private sector & academia to benefit the whole society. AZA4ICE approach builds on partners’ existing knowledge & engages 5- helix actors increasing their capacity by exchanging cross boarder experiences; thus it critically depends on transnational cooperation. AZA4ICE is pioneer to suggest circular aquaculture spatial planning & test it in close-to-coast & inland waters going beyond existing practice of aquaculture planning in coastal sea areas.
Total project budget: € 2.962.186,00
Duration: 01/01/2024 – 31/09/2026
Lead Partner Organisation: University of Patras
Partners: REGION OF IONIAN ISLANDS (EL) | IMC Foundation – International Marine
Centre (IT) | Andalusian Research & Training Institute of Agriculture, Fisheries, Agrifood & ecological production (ES) | Business and Innovation Maritime Cluster – Toulon Var Technology (FR) | Public Institution Development Agency of Sibenik-Knin County (HR) | Adria Innovation Harbour (HR) |Dynamic Vision (EL) | Institute of Fish Resources (BG) | Chamber of Economy of Montenegro (ME) | Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere, P.I. (PT)
