Promoting sustainable aquaculture
Article 34
1. With a view to promoting sustainability and contributing to food security and supplies, growth and employment, the Commission shall establish non-binding Union strategic guidelines on common priorities and targets for the development of sustainable aquaculture activities. Such strategic guidelines shall take account of the relative starting positions and different circumstances throughout the Union and shall form the basis for multiannual national strategic plans, and shall aim at: (a) improving the competitiveness of the aquaculture industry and supporting its development and innovation; (b) reducing the administrative burden and making the implementation of Union law more efficient and responsive to the needs of stakeholders; (c) encouraging economic activity; (d) diversification and improvement of the quality of life in coastal and inland areas; (e) integrating aquaculture activities into maritime, coastal and inland spatial planning. 2. By 30 June 2014, Member States shall establish a multiannual national strategic plan for the development of aquaculture activities on their territory. 3. The multiannual national strategic plan shall include the Member State's objectives and the measures and the timetables necessary to achieve them. 4. Multiannual national strategic plans shall, in particular, have the following aims: (a) administrative simplification, in particular regarding evaluations and impact studies and licenses; (b) reasonable certainty for aquaculture operators in relation to access to waters and space; (c) indicators for environmental, economic and social sustainability; (d) assessment of other possible cross-border effects, especially on marine biological resources and marine ecosystems in neighbouring Member States; (e) the creation of synergies between national research programmes and collaboration between the industry and the scientific community; (f) the promotion of the competitive advantage of sustainable, high quality food; (g) the promotion of aquaculture practices and research with a view to enhancing positive effects on the environment and on the fish resources, and to reducing negative impacts, including reducing pressure on fish stocks used for feed production, and increasing resource efficiency. 5. Member States shall exchange information and best practices through an open method of coordination of the national measures contained in multiannual national strategic plans. 6. The Commission shall encourage the exchange of information and best practices among Member States and shall facilitate the coordination of national measures foreseen in the multiannual national strategic plan.