27 researchers and experts from all over Europe were gathered on 9th and 10th January at Nofima in Ås to start the EU research project.         Photo: Jon-Are Berg-Jacobsen, Nofima

OrAqua  (European Organic Aquaculture – Science based recommendations for further development of the EU regulatory framework and to underpin future growth in the sector), a project to identify obstacles in regulations and rules that must be changed to increase the production of organic fish, has been initiated. The objective is to pave the way for increased organic aquaculture in Europe.

Many consumers want to buy organic fish, but in Europe it is still hard to find certified organic fish in the grocery shops, unlike organic milk, vegetables and meat.

“Based on official numbers, below one percent of fish farmed globally today is organically produced”, said project leader Prof. Ingrid Olesen at Nofima. “There are a lot of challenges, such as harmonizing the standards in such a way that it satisfies the views and principles of both producers and consumers”.