INTEGRATE : Integrated Aquaculture, an eco-innovative solution to foster sustainability in the Atlantic Area

INTEGRATE project will foster a quintuple helix cooperation to promote the industrial transition towards Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in the European Atlantic Arc. The project will develop effective tools to increase competitiveness while removing the barriers to sectoral green growth and improving the quality and public image of the aquatic products.

Overall objective:

Finding sustainable ways to address an imbalance of resources is the primary purpose of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Though its development is encouraged by major policies (EU Blue Growth Strategy, Atlantic Action Plan, RIS3), there are many limits (socio-economic, administrative and legal) and challenges that need to be solved in order to benefit from its potential to increase competitiveness, productivity and profitability while minimizing environmental impacts related to waste production. INTEGRATE project aims to strengthen transnational and collaborative networking among research, business-industry groups and civil society on eco-efficient aquaculture techniques through a territorially based cooperation approach. This will be achieved for the first time by embracing and communicating the principles and benefits of eco-innovation and eco-efficiency in which the concept of IMTA is based. Furthermore, it will facilitate the consecution of strategic regional goals as the industry transitions to resource-efficient technologies (aquaculture is a sector highlighted in EU Blue Growth Strategy). This approach will also help to develop market consolidation of EU sustainable seafood (Farmed in the EU) the promotion of green and blue growth among traditional businesses (Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, Water Framework Directive) and to raise awareness on the holistic approach of IMTA.