International Seminar on Land Based Aquaculture Systems

CCB • November 18, 2015

Last week, on 11-12th of November, in cooperation, Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) , Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) , the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and the Swedish Board of Agriculture hosted an international seminar on Land-Based Aquaculture and best available technologies (BAT) in Stockholm. Moderators were Ellen Bruno (SSNC) and Nils Höglund (CCB).

© Brian Vinci, Freshwater Institute

About ninety participants attended the two-day event and fifteen speakers from diverse parts of the sector – industry, government, research, NGOs and retailers – gave presentations and joined panel discussions. Here below you find links to the presentations.

Exploring Land Based Aquaculture Systems

The event is a part of an ongoing engagement to highlight and define best options for sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector, linking both to current work in HELCOM on respective BAT and Best Environmental Practice (BEP) for the future fish farming in the Baltic Sea region as well as linking to the EU level.

From left: Nils Höglund, Brian Vinci, Michał Kowalski, Malin Skog, Ola Öberg and Marcin Rucinski (Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries).

The aim of the seminar was to explore options for Land Based Aquaculture Systems, especially those that in different ways include a recirculation system and to highlight that such systems are not just the future solution but that they are already in full use and producing fish now. Furthermore, an important objective of this seminar was to explore the possibility to address risks to the environment and at the same time enable profitable production close to the consumer. Key questions asked were about environmental benefits, costs and technical challenges of land based systems and also the difficulties of producers to reach the market and sell their products for a good price.

 

Key findings of the seminar

It can be concluded that further action required are continued discussions of BAT and BEP and to set a roadmap with clear objectives and timelines for the development of Land based Aquaculture Systems. Following are some of the key findings of the seminar:

  • Land based systems, although advanced, do not have any major difficulties today and the technology is mature.
  • The costs of land based systems are dropping and are almost at par with conventional open cage systems, and if including all costs from farm to table.
  • Almost all the environmental problems linked to aquaculture are addressed in closed land based systems, e.g. alien species, spreading of pollutants/medicine/disease and nutrients losses.
  • Regardless of system used, feed based on wild fish remains a problem to be solved but there are options in new feeds and also new species.
  • Markets and price are major challenges for land based systems that can deliver fresh fish all year. Consumers must be ready to pay the price for sustainable production.
  • There is a need for simpler regulations and better coordinated monitoring by authorities.
  • There are still ethical issues to be solved in terms of fish health and welfare, a dilemma that can apply to any type of aquaculture, such as slaughter methods.
  • There is a strong need for more knowledge and research on the natural essentials of fish and how to increase fish welfare.
  • Organic labeling is not possible under current EU regulations but options are explored by

    Moderators Nils Höglund and Ellen Bruno

    independent certifiers.

  • Some retailers need, if not require, labels to clarify traceability and trust in fish products, however, more, or new, labels can also be confusing for the consumer.
  • European Commission calls for nutrient neutral systems or closed systems in the Baltic Sea region (see the draft of the Guidance document on the application of the WFD and the MSFD in relation to aquaculture ).

Seminar Presentations

Malin Skog, The Swedish Board of Agriculture : EU and Swedish Aquaculture Plans and Strategies.

Frida Åberg, Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management : Prerequisites for aquaculture in Sweden

Brian Vinci, Freshwater institute West Virginia : A North American perspective on land based systems, past, present and future

Michał Kowalski, Jurassic Salmon : Land based salmon from Poland.

Ola Öberg, Svensk Fiskodling AB : Reaching success.

Ivar Warren-Hansen, Inter Aqua Advance A/S : Building it large – Land based salmon grow-out

Johan Ljungquist and Mikael Olenmark, Scandinavian Aquasystems AB and Gårdsfisk: Building it small – Integrated Agri- and Aquaculture.

Brian Vinci, Freshwater Institute West Virginia : Land vs Sea based systems cost and environmental footprint comparison.

Nils Höglund, Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) : The omnibus challenge of feed in aquaculture.

Markus Langeland, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) : Realities of the feed options.

Albin Gräns, FRESH – Fish Rearing and Stress Hazards, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) : What is animal welfare, current rules and latest research on stress prevention in aquaculture

Dario Dubolino, DG for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission : Recirculation in the EU aquaculture policy and organic rules.

Anneli Bylund and Malena Nylin, Coop Sweden : Coop Sweden strategy for a living sea.

Photos by IISD/ENB - Natalia Mroz
By CCB July 2, 2025
The first meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 23–27 June 2025 , bringing together government representatives, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including the Coalition Clean Baltic representative, the private sector, youth, and academia. This marked the first global gathering since the GFC was adopted at the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) in 2023. The primary focus of OEWG-1 was to take stock of progress since ICCM5 and to discuss how best to operationalize the framework’s goals. Participants exchanged views on implementation needs and priorities, as well as preparatory work for the first International conference of GFC , expected in 2026. Advancing Implementation Programmes Across Key Sectors A central discussion point was the development of terms of reference (ToR) for three Implementation Programmes under the GFC. One of these programmes will include sector-specific sub-programmes , aiming to promote safer chemicals management practices in industries such as electronics, textiles, health care, and construction . The intent is to support sector-wide engagement, innovation, and accountability in reducing chemical risks. Delegates also addressed the selection and future treatment of chemical Issues of Concern (IoCs) - substances or groups of substances that require global attention, e.g. lead in paints, highly hazardous pesticides, environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants , and others) . While there was broad support for retaining all currently recognized IoCs, discussions highlighted the need for clear criteria, dedicated workplans, and adequate resourcing to ensure each IoC is actively addressed rather than left unresolved. Financing as a Cornerstone of Effective Implementation Discussions made clear that successful implementation of the GFC will require adequate, sustained, and predictable financial resources . The meeting explored the operation of the GFC Fund , with particular attention to how it might be improved to ensure equitable access to financial resources , especially for low- and middle-income countries. Ideas for a resource mobilization strategy were also shared, with many participants emphasizing the importance of sustained public and private sector contributions. There was significant support for applying the “polluter pays” principle , ensuring that industries contributing to chemical pollution take financial responsibility for managing its impacts. The intersessional work ahead of COP1 will be critical for shaping a robust financing mechanism that matches the framework’s ambition. Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides launched A major milestone from the meeting was the launch of the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) . This new initiative aims to promote international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and support for safer alternatives, including agroecological approaches that reduce reliance on harmful substances in agriculture. Regional Perspectives: Implications for the Baltic Sea “ For the Baltic Sea region , chemicals management remains a critical environmental and public health issue ”, commented Eugeniy Lobanov, Leader of the Hazardous Substances Working Area at Coalition Clean Baltic . “ Implementation of the GFC provides an opportunity to reinforce regional actions under the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan , especially concerning the reduction of hazardous substances entering the marine environment, e.g., pharmaceutical pollutants ”. It is important that Baltic Sea countries actively contribute to the GFC’s development and ensure regional priorities are reflected in global strategies. To read summary report of OEWG 1 . *** Article written by Eugeniy Lobanov, CCB Hazardous Substances Working Area Leader Photos by IISD/ENB - Natalia Mroz
By CCB June 17, 2025
On Wednesday, 28 May, the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) published its scientific advice for fish stocks in the Baltic Sea . In response, environmental NGOs from around the Baltic Sea region urge the European Commission to propose, and fisheries ministers to adopt, fishing opportunities at levels well below the headline advice to safeguard ecosystem needs and dynamics and allow for rapid recovery of Baltic Sea fish populations.