What is the legislation relating to fish farming and the environment?
Environmental legislation has a considerable relevance for the aquaculture sector. Member States are required to ensure that all aquaculture enterprises operate within the rules on environmental protection. Most of the legislation takes the form of directives i.e. instruments adopted by the EU which need to be translated into detailed national rules and procedures. On this website you will find a list of Community legislation relating to aquaculture, processing and marketing of fishery products organised by subjects. Among these subjects you will find “environment”. European Community actions in relation to aquaculture (for example, the approval of aquaculture programmes in specific Member States under the Structural Funds), must integrate environmental protection requirements. Aquaculture can also benefit from EU environmental legislation. In particular, legislation aimed at protecting the aquatic environment can help safeguard aquaculture activities from damage to their resource base
