Project to stimulate the growth of sustainable low-trophic aquaculture

Low-trophic aquaculture, such as the cultivation of mussels, oysters, seaweed, and sea squirts, is a promising and sustainable way to produce high-quality food. However, in Sweden, there is a lack of easily accessible information on its impact on ecosystems, making it difficult for authorities to make well-informed decisions. As a result, the development of the sector is being hindered.

In this project, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute will produce summarised and comprehensible materials on the environmental effects of low-trophic aquaculture and discuss threshold values with stakeholders from various authorities and industries. Through literature reviews, the project will compile knowledge on the environmental impact of low-trophic aquaculture and link these effects to legislation through so-called indicators that describe environmental conditions. The project will also investigate relevant thresholds and, through stakeholder workshops, identify conflicts and synergies between Swedish environmental laws and aquaculture.

The project will produce reports on interactions between low-trophic aquaculture and the coastal zone, indicators, and monitoring requirements. It will also provide fact sheets and a policy brief for authorities to use in the approval process for aquaculture permits. The work carried out in the project aims to promote sustainable consumption and production by strengthening low-trophic aquaculture as a particularly sustainable production method. At the same time, the use of indicators should ensure the health of marine ecosystems and resources.