Pure Algae, a small innovative Danish business, has developed a sustainable land-based algae and seaweed cultivation system. This system can be installed alongside land-based aquaculture activities, using the nutrients produced to grow algae.
Thanks to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), and the Fisheries Local Action Group in the area, Pure Algae was able to start its business, build its sustainable seaweed solution and create jobs.
Lagocephalus sceleratus, a pufferfish originating from the Red Sea, is one of the most harmful invasive species present in the Mediterranean Sea. It damages small scale fishers’ nets, eats the octopus and commercial fish species, and has no known predator.
The EU-funded LagoMeal project managed to create a commercial fishery for this invasive species that used to have no commercial value. It brought together a team of experts from various national institutions and the private sector. Together they used the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to develop a process to deactivate a powerful nerve toxin and turn deadly pufferfish into high-quality fishmeal for aquaculture.
Seaweed in Ireland has a longstanding tradition and is cemented in Irish folklore. Despite this history, the use of seaweed has become lost in recent years. Recognising the potential of seaweed production as a sustainable alternative food source, The Seaweed Company used EU funds to develop a seaweed farm and Ireland’s first dedicated seaweed processing facility.
In Sardinia, fishers have managed to find the perfect balance between artisanal fisheries, sustainability, and exciting tourism!
With the support of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), MEDUZA, a small scale seafood family business started in 1989 became a major driver for the improvement of seafood production and processing in Croatia.
Danube Caviar is a family-run business in the heart of Romania on a lifelong mission to protect sturgeon populations. With a little help from the EMFF, the business has been able to develop its aquaculture production of sturgeon meat and caviar, alleviating pressure on wild sources.
STRANDET was founded to make a change against marine plastic pollution and propose a creative way to solve the situation. With a little help from the EMFF and their fisheries LAG, an old gas station in Nørre Vorupør was transformed into a multipurpose ocean plastics workshop, now at the epicentre of a vibrant local economy based on ocean clean-ups and local partnership.
With the support of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), Wageningen University & Research developed a digital tool to implement a ‘Fully Documented Fishery’.
With the support of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the Irish seafood agency (Bord Iascaigh Mara) developed a mobile classroom dedicated to teaching the history, facts and opportunities of aquaculture in elementary schools all around Ireland.
The Swedish company Gårdsfisk had developed a closed aquaculture technology to produce tilapia and catfish, two species of high commercial value and with lower production impact on the environment. Working with a traditional farming sector, this company provides a diversification option for farmers and is a driver for smart and sustainable economic development in land-based areas.
Morigenos is a Slovenian environmental NGO studying marine mammal populations in the Gulf of Trieste since 2001. With support from the EMFF they have been able to expand their work and cooperate with the Slovenian Ministry and Natura 2000 management bodies to improve data collection, monitoring and preservation of marine ecosystems in the entire region.
Fisheries LAGs implement community-led local development (CLLD) which enables the support and development of thousands of local projects led by local stakeholders across Europe for the benefit of a sustainable blue economy. In this FAMENET story episode, we explore the work of two fisheries LAGs in France and hear how they are making the blue economy a development tool for local communities.
PuertAlMar, which translates as 'gateway to the sea', is a project that shows how human activities and thriving biodiversity can coexist in ports. It also shows how the carbon footprint of ports can be reduced. Located in the port of Vigo, on Spain’s Atlantic coast, this EU-funded project was carried out by the Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo – the Port Authority of Vigo - and the University of Vigo.