Based on sustainable development of this growing industry throughout the EU, the policy was given full support by the Fisheries Council with the hope that it will lead to solid growth over the next few years.

Although a now a major fishing activity, fish farming in the EU has only seen spasmodic spurts of growth over the past 20 years - indeed the industry stagnated between 2000 and 2006, but it is now an upward curve again.

The new strategy also hopes that by growing the aquaculture sector, there will be less reliance on fish imports from outside the EU. With European consumer demand for fish showing no sign of abating, member states currently import 60 per cent of the fish and shellfish needs. Europe says it wants to create a new impetus for sustainable aquaculture development. The big plus is that the industry can be development by countries with little or no sea coastline such as the Czech Republic and Austria.

The new policy is calling for future expansion of the industry to be sustainable and embracing innovation, technology development and real competitiveness. "All production must be environmentally friendly and of good quality," said the Czech deputy first minister Ivo Hlavac. EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg added that it should also respond to the market, with all countries showing a responsible attitude and setting the very best quality standards.

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