Analysis of EU Regulations for Mariculture Production

The mariculture industry is rapidly expanding, and regulations are necessary to ensure the quality and safety of the products, but concerns arise about its environmental impacts. This paper provides an overview of the significant growth and importance of the aquaculture industry, its challenges, and its impacts on the environment. It highlights the need for regulations and monitoring to ensure sustainable practices in aquaculture. In the European Union (EU), various regulations have been developed to regulate the mariculture industry, including the Aquaculture Regulation and the Common Fisheries Policy. Regulatory frameworks and standards have been introduced to address environmental impacts and protect the industry's long-term viability while safeguarding the environment. These regulations aim to achieve sustainable production, food safety, and quality, animal health, integrated coastal zone management, etc. The EU periodically reviews and updates its regulations based on scientific findings, technological advancements, and changing market dynamics. Compliance with regulations is essential for the profitability of mariculture operations. Identification of aspects for improvement in the EU regulations for mariculture production is given. These include improving regulatory clarity, harmonizing regulations of the states, and simplifying regulatory procedures. The paper also discusses the efforts of the European Union and member states to address environmental concerns and the need for an energy transition in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. An overview of responsible authorities in Croatia related to environmental protection and highlights of national and EU regulations governing maritime protection are provided. Limitations in the regulatory framework and alternatives for addressing energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint in aquaculture are discussed. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering the implications of regulations and promoting technological innovations to achieve sustainability.