East European aquaculture - the preservati on of regional identity in a common market

摘要

ALTHOUGH the ten new member states that joined the European Union (EU) on 1st May 2004 are not major aquaculture producers, the area requires careful analysis since the addition of the new members will fundamentally alter the dynamics of the aquaculture industry on the continent. According to Eurostat, total aquaculture production in the ten new member states totalled 77,000 tonnes in 2001, only 9.9% of total EU aquaculture production. However, the big change will be to expand the potential market opportunities to all involved and add new players, aspects and issues to an already complex sector. Eastern Europe also has a long history of more extensive fish farming that is very different from Western Europe which will undoubtedly pose questions as to how these important sectors can adapt to change, particularly within the context of a common market.