On the 12th of December, 2024 EMBRC-BE and VAP organize a symposium that brings together various stakeholders including scientists, political, industrial and non-governmental parties to explore the horizon of ecological sustainable marine aquaculture, uncovering both its threats and opportunities.

Context
Marine aquaculture stands at the forefront of addressing the increasing global demand for seafood while presenting a range of ecological and social challenges. The symposium aims to illuminate the intricate balance between sustainable use of marine resources and the potential risks associated with this rapidly evolving aquaculture industry. The symposium  will cover:

Ecological Considerations: What are the environmental impacts of marine aquaculture and what are strategies to enhance biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem integrity?

Ecological Sustainability in Focus: What are best strategies and good practices that promote sustainable marine aquaculture, mitigate negative impacts, while ensuring the preservation of our oceans for generations to come? 

The following thematic sessions will take place

  1. Aquaculture in Open Sea: Identify the challenges and possibilities of open-sea aquaculture and explore the practices shaping the sustainable cultivation of marine species.
  2. Land-Based Aquaculture: Discuss the intricacies of land-based aquaculture. Examine the threats and opportunities in this segment of the industry.
  3. Restorative Aquaculture: Present approaches that integrate aquaculture practices into environmental conservation and coastal resilience strategies.
  4. Belgian initiatives in a context of ecological sustainable aquaculture

The symposium takes place at Marifish in Oostende. Participation in the symposium is free but registration before November 29th, 2024 is mandatory. Register here. For more information feel free to contact embrc@ugent.be.

Programme

9:00 Registration
9:30 Introduction

Welcome to Marifish Sylvie Becaus (Marifish)
Introduction to aims of the day Ann Vanreusel (UGent, EMBRC-BE Director)
Vlaams Aquacultuur Platform Stefan Teerlinck (Inagro)

10:00 Opening keynote

Prospects of seaweed cultivation and the opportunities of seaweed sustainable aquaculture Philippe Potin (Sorbonne University)

While seaweed hopes have never been so great, since 2020 global production data shows a decline that was never observed during the last decades including for temperate seaweeds in Northern Asia. Facing challenges with climate change and sustainability issues, the current situation may impair the development of a sustainable seaweed aquaculture sector in Europe and other regions of the globe. This presentation will analyse the current trends in seaweed cultivation related to the EU blue bioeconomy. It will highlight three examples of seaweed farming practices in different continents that illustrate well sustainability issues for the sector. It will attempt to provide a European framework to create a shared language and supportive network to help farmers, researchers, government, and non-government organizations to create opportunities for a seaweed restorative and regenerative aquaculture.

Bio: Philippe Potin currently works as a Senior Scientist at CNRS in France at Station Biologique de Roscoff. All along his career, he has contributed to decipher signalling and innate immunity in red and brown marine macroalgae. He is also very involved in projects to promote algae as biostimulants in agriculture and in biotechnology and aquaculture projects for new cosmetic active ingredients and biodegradable materials. From 2017 to 2021, he coordinated the EU-H2020-GENIALG project on large scale seaweed cultivation of sugar kelp and sea lettuce to supply biorefineries. Since January 2021, he serves as scientific director and chair of the scientific council of the international alliance “Global Seaweed Coalition” financed for 5 years by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation and hosted by the United Nations Global Compact (safeseaweedcoalition.org).

10.30 - 11.00 Coffee break
11:00 Sustainable aquaculture in open sea

Offshore aquaculture in Belgian windparks, lessons learned from the UNITED and ULTFARMS projects Jessica Knoop, Annelies Declercq, Olivier De Clerck (UGent)

In the UNITED (H2020) and ULTFARMS (Horizon Europe) projects, the technical feasibility of offshore seaweed aquaculture and European flat oyster cultivation are explored in the Belgian part of the North Sea. During these projects seaweed nets (sugar kelp) and oyster aquaculture structures were set out at Westdiep, five kilometers off the coast of Nieuwpoort, and subsequently sampled to evaluate their suitability. Building on the success of these nearshore experiments, oyster cultivation structures and seaweed nets were installed, sampled and decommissioned within the offshore wind park Belwind.  This presentation will focus on the biological results, as well as the technical and logistic hurdles associated with offshore aquaculture activities. 

Bio: Jessica Knoop is a marine biologist and researcher specializing in seaweed aquaculture at Ghent University. Recently, she took up a tenure-track position at NIOZ. Olivier De Clerck is the head of the Phycology research Group at Ghent University, his research concentrates on diversity, genetics and life cycle control of seaweeds. Annelies Declercq is the director of the Lab of Aquaculture and Artemia Reference Center at Ghent University. Her research focuses on various facets of aquatic animal health, including disease control and management in aquaculture systems such as recirculating systems, offshore and multi-use setups.

The Belgian vision on sustainable aquaculture in the BPNS Steven Degraer (Institute of Natural Sciences)
Coexistence of Mariculture and Fisheries: A Win-Win for All? Jasper Van Vlasselaer (ILVO)

Like on land, space at sea is limited and highly contested. Offshore developments reduce fishing grounds for trawlers but open new spaces for alternative fishing practices. Within the SYMAPA project, we explored the initial steps toward coexistence between passive fishing and mariculture at a site off the Belgian coast. This talk will highlight project work focused on fisheries techniques and explore possible synergies between passive fishing and mariculture, with a case study on mussels and cuttlefish.

Bio: Jasper van Vlasselaer is a marine biologist and researcher specializing in fisheries techniques at the Flemish Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (ILVO). His work primarily addresses the Belgian fisheries sector, focusing on minimizing environmental impact and enhancing catch selectivity. Recently, Jasper has been researching pot fishing as an alternative fishery method, and he is currently pursuing a PhD examining species attraction to pots.

Offshore mussel farm and co-user of wind- and mariparks Eric Wakkee (OOS)

12:00 Land based aquaculture: a sustainable alternative for marine-based aquaculture? 

Inshore aquaculture of marine molluscs as an alternative and sustainable source of animal proteins on salinized land Katja Philippart (Nioz, Universiteit Utrecht)

Inshore aquaculture of marine molluscs (e.g., the suspension-feeding cockle Cerastoderma edule) might be an alternative practice if cost-effective and nature-based technology enhances their growth and survival. Our experiments in a former polder where tides acted as a natural pump for seawater revealed an increase in the quality of the water (i.e. reduction in sediment loads and stimulation of pelagic microalgal growth) and that of the cockles (shell growth and meat content). These results suggest that inshore aquaculture of marine shellfish may provide sustainable food and income for coastal communities, in particular when the shellfish farms are located in low-lying salinized coastal areas where common agriculture practices are no longer profitable.

Bio: Katja Philippart is a senior scientist at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, a professor on marine cology at the University of Utrecht and the director of the Waddenacademie. The main aim of her research is to understand the trophic interactions between the main primary producers (phytoplankton and microphytobenthos) and primary consumers (bivalves) of shallow temperate coastal waters such as the Wadden Sea. Hereto various techniques are used, including automated monitoring networks, field surveys, remote sensing (airborne and satellite) techniques and laboratory experiments under controlled environmental conditions. Collection and advanced statistics of field data and testing of mechanistic views on structuring factors of primary production and consumption in shallow coastal waters is performed within multiple interdisciplinary projects, performed together with national and international partners.

Is land-based aquaculture pricing itself out of the marked despite its sustainable character? Willy Verdonck (Belgian Caviar)

In my presentation,  I want to discuss the issues we face as producers of sturgeon or other fish species in RAS systems. Namely, the considerable additional costs compared to open systems and (over)regulation compared to foreign countries. This translates into unequal competition that makes it extremely difficult to engage in intensive aquaculture in Flanders.
We can only sustain ourselves in this highly competitive market by distinguishing ourselves from our competitors with our quality and services.

Bio: Willy Verdonck, obtained his PhD about Breeding sea bass in warm water effluent in Leuven in 1989. After his studies, he started as general nutritionist at N.V. Joosen-Luyckx, with a speciality in fish feed. He co-founded Aqua-Bio within the Joosen-Luyckx group, as producer of Belgian caviar.

The BlueMarine³.Com project – multispecies nursery cultivation in RAS Vincent Vermeylen (UGent)

Sustainable production of food from the oceans is a priority with increasing awareness. In line with this global interest, aquaculture-related activities in Flanders (Belgium) have been growing over the last two decades. Both industry and government are investing substantially in local aquaculture initiatives. However, they all face one common problem: the lack of starting material (bivalve spat, shrimp larvae and seaweed spores) in sufficient quantities and desirable qualities. Within the BlueMarine³.Com project, we adapted hatchery and nursery concepts for molluscs, crustaceans and macroalgae to local conditions and expanded our biological and technological knowledge on cultivation techniques. Throughout the project, there is a strong emphasis on synergies, in function of sustainable and responsible use of all resources needed for proper larviculture.

Bio: Vincent Vermeylen has a background in biology and currently works as a scientific researcher at the Lab of Aquaculture and Artemia Reference Center at Ghent University, which is a member of the Belgian EMBRC node. His work focuses on aquaculture research, and he is involved in studies related to larviculture, life feed and aquatic health.

12:45 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 Restorative aquaculture

Feeding the future: Redefining Responsible Feed for Aquaculture Maurane Martin Hernandez (Aquaculture Stewardship Council)

Feed plays a critical role in aquaculture, as over 70% of farmed seafood is fed, and feed production can account for up to 90% of environmental impacts in the industry. These impacts, often linked to deforestation, land conversion, and unsustainable fisheries practices, highlight the need to reduce feed-related environmental harm. Due diligence in sourcing feed ingredients is essential to managing these impacts effectively.

Bio: Maurane Martin Hernandez, Market Development Manager for Belgium at the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) will explore how the ASC Feed Standard contributes to restorative aquaculture through responsible sourcing and risk assessments of feed ingredients.

Adapting native oyster restoration to the scale of offshore energy development in the North Sea Molly Hughes (UGent)

Increasing development of infrastructure for offshore renewable energy presents an opportunity for the restoration of a nearly extinct native habitat, the once extensive European flat oyster reefs of the North Sea. Here, a collaborative approach between industry, research, and aquaculture is proposed along with a methodology for upscaling restoration supported by proof of concept in early project results.

BioMolly Hughes is a PhD student at the Laboratory of Aquaculture and Artemia Reference Center at Gent University. Originally from the United States, Molly’s professional background includes coastal restoration, fisheries management and more recently, offshore aquaculture development in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Her current work as a doctoral candidate is focused on upscaling restoration of the native European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis.

Artificial Hard Substrate Garden (AHSG) facilitates restorative aquaculture in Belgian marine environment Wannes De Clercq (Institute of Natural Sciences)

The Artificial Hard Substrate Garden is an in situ experimental platform designed to support research on the interactions between man-made structures and the marine environment, aiming to support sustainable offshore development. In this talk we will showcase practical examples of how the AHSG has supported restorative aquaculture, discuss future outlooks and outline how we can support the aquaculture practitioners of tomorrow. 

BioWannes De Clercq is a marine biologist at the Institute of Natural Sciences, passionate about marine conservation and experienced in the effects of mariculture on benthic communities. Within the Institute, he manages the ‘Artificial Hard Substrate Garden’ (AHSG) and provides it as a research service at both the Belgian and European EMBRC level.

Towards restorative aquaculture of flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) in northern Europe-a modelling approach Brecht Stechele

Numerous projects across Europe are working to restore oyster reefs, which were once a crucial ecosystem in northern Europe. However, restoration efforts are hindered by limited larval availability. This study investigates how oyster aquaculture could support reef restoration and offers modelling tools to assist in selecting suitable sites and optimizing the placement of flat oyster restorative aquaculture initiatives.

Bio: Brecht Stechele, Ph.D. is an environmental engineer, with a passion for the marine environment. Alongside his engineering degree, he pursued a second Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, broadening his understanding of sustainable management practices for marine ecosystems.
His experience in the marine domain includes an internship at the European Commission and relevant legislative experience as a marine policy advisor for the Belgian Federal Government. During his employment at Ghent University, he contributed to innovative research projects developing the aquaculture technologies for blue mussels and flat oyster cultivation in offshore wind parks in the open North Sea. His doctoral research focused on restorative aquaculture of flat oysters, proposing innovative ecological and technological approaches for large-scale offshore oyster reef restoration.
Currently, Brecht provides consulting services, offering creative solutions for nature restoration initiatives. He collaborates with various organizations and research institutes dedicated to scale up marine conservation and restoration efforts all over the world.

15:00 Belgian initiatives in a context of ecological sustainable aquaculture

The Ecosystem Approach for and in the Blue Bio Economy Jurgen Adriaen (Blauwe Cluster)

Within the BlueBioCluster project, the aim is to develop tools for supporting businesses in integrating ecosystem services into novel ecology-driven business models and induce cross-sector collaborations along the value chain. This should give Blue bio producers more production area as well as a larger return for their activity due to the ecosystem services they provide. The Ecosystem Approach ladder could be an overarching instrument that could support this increase in Blue biomass production.

BioAfter graduation as M.Sc. Aquaculture at the University of Ghent, Jurgen Adriaen embarked on his international aquaculture journey followed by 10 years as Aquaculture researcher at Odisee. He is currently working at Blue Cluster where he supports the further development of Flemish aquaculture, fostering innovation and sustainable development within the sector as Innovation manager.

Environmental challenges related to cultivation of mussels in the North Sea Donaat Mortelmans (Colruyt - Zeeboerderij)
Innovative monitoring of aquaculture - multibeam measurements to predict bivalve crops Thomas Vandorpe (VLIZ)

Volume calculations based on multibeam water column data show great potential to assess the growth stage of bivalve dropper lines. This technique may provide aquaculture managers a reliable, cost-effective tool to predict the optimal time to harvest the bivalves. In order to allow volume calculations, the multibeam water column data need to filtered and clustered, allowing to obtain volume calculations for each individual dropper line. Open access scripts have been developed enabling these steps and providing an onset towards automatic volume estimates.

Bio: After graduating in 2010, Thomas started as a teaching assistant and PhD-student at Ghent University, Department of Geology, focusing on contourite deposits and cold-water corals along the Moroccan Atlantic margin. After his PhD, Thomas was appointed senior marine technician at Flanders Marine Institute in April 2017, but gradually became a project manager for infrastructure-based research projects, focusing mainly on multibeam water column data. One of the research lines is the application of multibeam data for aquaculture purposes. Currently, Thomas divides his time between maintaining (acoustic) equipment, acquiring and managing research projects and managing large infrastructure projects.

15:45-16:15 Coffee break
16:15 Panel discussion

How sustainable is aquaculture in Belgium? Moderator: Marijn Rabaut

17:00 Closing of the event

Belgian ambitions towards ecological considerations and sustainability in mariculture practices Marijn Rabaut, Patrick Sorgeloos

17:15 Network reception

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