• Due to effective feed conversion ratios (FCR), food from aquaculture is seen as the most promising and resource efficient source of healthy protein and lipids (omega-3 fatty acids) that will contribute to feeding the ever-expanding global population.
• Worldwide aquaculture production is increasing at an impressive rate, but not, in the SB region, where it is stagnating. This is partially due to environmental restrictions and the costs of reducing negative environmental impacts. Besides sharpened regulations and obligations, SB region also faces additional restrictions based on the specifics of the Baltic Sea and the HELCOM BSAP conditions. The barriers of aquaculture development in the region are further increased by the limited application of and markets for aquaculture products and by-products. Consumer mindsets concerning these also challenge development of the sector.
• The present state-of-play of aquaculture production in the SB region will continue to permit the expansion of non-sustainable fish production in other parts of the world, unless new production methods that support circular economy and blue biotechnology are broadly adopted. This change would contribute significantly to all ESGs, EUSBSR, Farm-to-Fork, EU Biodiversity Strategy, and the EU Green Deal.

The objective of the AquaLoop project is to develop, promote, and support the concept of circular aquaculture in the SB region for the green transition, with a focus on nutrient loop containment with by-products production towards responsible consumption.