In 2005, EAS carried out an impact assessment of the FP4 and FP5 Research Programmes on Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood processing Research Area and Fisheries industry for the European Commission. Report now online

“Impact Assessment of the FP4 and FP5 Research Programmes on Fisheries, Aquaculture and
Seafood Processing Research Area and the Fishery Industry”.

FP6-2003-SSP3-513651

European aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing development has benefited from considerable efforts in EC RTD projects. Reforms in European policies and programmes, accompanied by changing public priorities, have affected the way in which the seafood sector is perceived and hence its further development. The Fourth and Fifth Framework Programmes of the European Commission in aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing RTD were built upon specific objectives for the continued development of the sector over the period 1994-2002.

As part of the integration and strengthening of the European Research Area, IMPACT FISH – a specific support action (SSA) – provides an impact assessment of RTD programmes on the research areas mentioned above and on the fishery industry (including aquaculture production systems).

Impact assessment is being built-in to RTD and especially policy development programmes as a tool to monitor the effects of the research and the need for policy change – especially the latter in accordance with COM (2002) 276 “Communication from the Commission on Impact Assessment” published in June 2002.

Whilst previously published impact assessments have focussed on research areas across a wide scope (e.g. Agri-Food – QLAM-2000-30013), the IMPACT FISH assessment covers the specific areas of aquaculture and fisheries across the two Framework Programmes. It will bring together the diverse sources of information on the projects, and will seek direct feedback on RTD impact from a wide range of stakeholders who carry out and use the results of the projects/programmes.

This assessment was divided into two phases – one of monitoring current information (including those 5FP projects terminating in 2004) and one of collection and quantification in the form of questionnaires.

The final report identifies trends and tendencies and provides a basis for the comparison of both framework programmes; their continuity related to original programme objectives, and their impact on both research and the industry. It therefore provides valuable information for stakeholders involved in research planning, relating to the lessons to be learned for full multi-disciplinary RTD.

The conclusions and recommendations provide guidelines for future actions and policies throughout the European aquaculture and fisheries sector, at a time when planning of the FP7 programme is reaching an advanced stage.

impact_fish_full_report (pdf, 2439kb) impact_fish_full_report_bw (suitable for black and white printing, pdf, 2573kb) impact_fish_extended_summary_report (pdf, 1269kb) impact_fish_conclusions__recommendations (pdf, 327kb)

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