Organic Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) with sea bass/sea bream, shellfish, and seaweed to produce blue food

Summary

IMTA increases the techno-economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture and improves the final product quality.
Practical recommendations
• Develop new reproduction and hatchery protocols for seedling production of the macroalgae.
• Evaluate the nutritional profile of the target species according to the EU-labelling requirements for organic blue food.
• Develop a conversion and investment plan aligned with EU organic regulations and national program requirements.
• Secure support in the transition phase with a focus on professional and technical areas.
• Collaborate and co-create in Living Labs, and on-farm experiments: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
• Locate organic certification requirements: Certification bodies (Agrocert, BioHellas, TÜVHellas).
• Administrative assistance: mainly in the application process for organic subsidies: Advisors working in the network of Geotechnical Chambers of Agriculture, and independent advisors.