Speaker
Description
Sustainable aquaculture is increasingly recognised as an important component of the blue economy, food security and climate resilience policies in Europe and worldwide. However, inland aquaculture development in the Baltic States remains limited despite the region’s potential for traditional pond aquaculture and recirculating aquaculture systems. The interdisciplinary project “Potential of traditional and recirculation inland aquaculture for inclusive and intelligent fisheries development in the Baltic States (AQUA4DEV-BS)” examines the structural barriers and drivers affecting inland aquaculture in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, with particular attention to small and medium-sized enterprises.
The study applies an interdisciplinary qualitative approach combining comparative legal and policy analysis, stakeholder analysis and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Planned interviews will involve representatives of aquaculture enterprises, sectoral associations, public institutions, researchers, environmental experts, policymakers and other stakeholders across the three Baltic States. The research is expected to provide an integrated understanding of administrative, environmental, market, technological and governance-related challenges influencing the sector’s development.
The project will also identify opportunities linked to sustainable food production, species diversification, bioeconomy development and resilient local food systems. Its comparative regional approach may reveal transferable governance and production practices and support policy recommendations tailored to the Baltic context.
