The aim of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the blue bioeconomy sector in the
European Union. By “blue bioeconomy”, it is intended any economic activity associated with the use
of renewable aquatic biological resources to make products. Examples of such products include novel
foods and food additives, animal feeds, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, materials (e.g.
clothes and construction materials) and energy. Businesses that grow the raw materials for these
products, that extract, refine, process and transform the biological compounds, as well as those
developing the required technologies and equipment all form part of the blue bioeconomy. To avoid
overlap in analysis of other maritime economic sectors, the Study considers that typical aquaculture
and fisheries, where the fish or shellfish are caught or produced for human consumption, is excluded
from the analysis. These sectors are already subject to several analysis and reports as standalone
sectors, and are already monitored by EUMOFA as part of its ordinary activities. However, there are
two exceptional cases: fish waste (the part not used for human consumption), which is not discarded
but used as an input to other products (e.g. fish meal/fish oil), and algae (both macroalgae and
microalgae). Although macroalgae can be considered as traditional aquaculture, they are closely
integrated with the bioeconomy as intended in this Study, and furthermore they are often omitted
from consideration in analysis of the aquaculture sector. Hence, algae are considered in this analysis,
with a distinction between algae for direct human consumption and algae for processing in to other
products/sectors.
- The report is structured in five sections:Mapping non-food uses of fisheries and aquaculture biomass. This section explores the types, geographic sources and potential food and non-food uses of fisheries and aquaculture biomass. It analyses the value and activities comprising the EU bioeconomy, the innovations in products, processes and markets and the main structural changes that are required for the progress of the
sector. - The size of demand. It analyses the size of the EU demand, the main EU players at country,
regional and sub-sector levels, and the global demand for products of the bioeconomy, mainly
focusing on fish waste and algae. - Top products and uses. This section develops an examination of the top aquatic plants/animals
(species) grown in the EU and globally by volume and value, what are their unit values and uses
(i.e. eventual products). This includes a mapping of the current uses, unused quantities and new
potential uses of by-products from fisheries and aquaculture, also by looking at experiences of
different countries. - Understanding the investment trends. Over the large spectrum of investments covered by the
blue bioeconomy sector, this section develops an indication of the type and the main driver for
investments looking also at some specific case studies on current investments, before proposing
some recommendations on how to foster investments in the sector. - National strategies to support the blue bioeconomy. Several European countries have adopted
overarching science strategies, plans and policies, which include the blue bioeconomy to some
extent. This section reports any relevant public policies and strategies promoting the
biotechnology sector at national or regional level, also including experiences outside the EU.
The study team acknowledges with grateful thanks the input, feedback and expertise provided by the
wide range of representatives from the bioeconomy sector who kindly cooperated in the compilation
of this study. A special mention goes to Meredith Lloyd-Evans and Pierre Erwes for their contribution
to Section I, IV and V of the Study. The Study “Blue bioeconomy: situation report and perspectives” will
be carried out by EUMOFA every second year, providing updates and insights on the sector’s most
recent developments within the European Union.