WRITTEN QUESTION E-3267/00

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: Impact of aquaculture upon toxic blooms

Has the Commission investigated whether there may be evidence to suggest a casual link between nutrient pollution from aquaculture and toxic algal blooms, such as amnesic shellfish poisoning? In the light of the debate over eutrophication, what action is the Commission taking against nutrient pollution within its stated policy of promoting sustainable aquaculture?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Microalgae in marine and brackish waters in Europe regularly cause harmful effects, in that they threaten public health and cause economic damage to fisheries, including aquaculture, and tourism. These episodes encompass a broad range of phenomena collectively referred to as harmful algal blooms (HAB).

Although it is known that some harmful algal species have bloomed for centuries, and others for thousands of years, the size and the frequency of these blooms have increased.

The Commission sponsored in November 1998 an international workshop on harmful algal blooms in European marine and brackish water, held in Kalmar, Sweden. According to the results of this workshop, one of the key questions still to be answered is how to distinguish natural causes from anthropogenic impact in the occurrence of harmful algal blooms.

Several anthropogenic forces might be involved in the formation of HAB, including eutrophication, disruption of the marine food chains by overfishing, increase in the mobilisation of essential or inhibiting trace metals to microalgal growth, atmospheric deposits (specifically rainwater containing nitrogen compounds), and intensive aquaculture in certain sensitive marine areas.

Concerning the potential role of aquaculture in the development of HAB, the contribution from aquaculture discharges to nitrogen and phosphorous loads in marine and brackish waters is low in comparison to other human activities (agriculture, urban population, industry) and usually concentrated in the close vicinity of the source of emission. However, few studies have been made to determine the fate and understand the risk associated with HAB cysts accumulated in sediments under and around fish farm cages. There is still a chance that such habitats may act as reservoirs for dormant cysts. Further studies may be needed to understand the fate of HAB cysts and other viable units accumulated under farm cages, including the effects of fallowing periods and the potential of cysts for bloom inoculation under given environmental circumstances.

With reference to the second question, since the 1970s an extensive body of environmental legislation has been adopted under the EC Treaty. Environmental protection has also assumed a central role in the objects of the Community.

The Community legislation provides for a range of control measures over aquaculture impacts on the environment, including the use of environmental impact assessment procedures for intensive aquaculture siting, design and operation; limited access rights for water; effluent control techniques involving feed control ratios, limited use of drugs, antibiotics and other chemicals; development of user groups agreements, to avoid use conflicts and to allow for effective area management; and limits upon introductions of exotic species.

Additionally, the development of best management practices through codes of conduct and practice, as well as the use of trade-related techniques such as product certification schemes are encouraged.

The Community has recently (December 1999) adopted Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector(1) to modernise aid to aquaculture within the framework of the reform of the structural funds.

The influence of aquaculture on the environment will in the future be of paramount importance. All grant aided aquaculture projects involving intensive methods must conform to the provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(2) as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997(3). In this context the costs relating to environmental impact studies will be eligible for aid.

In order to encourage clean operations, project investments using technology that substantially reduce negative effects on the environment may benefit from an additional financial aid provided by the Member State of up to 10 %.

Finally, other measures of collective interest can be supported including the improvement of aquaculture sites, the collective treatment of aquaculture effluent, the eradication of the pathological risks of fish farming and the collection of data for environmental management as part of an integrated coastal zone management plan.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.