The TAPAS project assessed the combined environmental and social impacts of aquaculture and identified management tools that could provide incentives to reduce negative impacts of aquaculture production. An ecosystem services (ES) approach were adopted that includes provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural services. The project adapted to the general concept of Ecosystems services cascade to build an analytical framework for the assessment of ES and benefits provided from European aquaculture. To achieve profitable sustainable aquaculture, it was important to know what trade-offs and possible synergies exists between aquaculture provisioning services and other ecosystem services and to be able to quantify them. The following tasks were completed:
- Building an analytical framework for the assessment of ES and benefits provided from European aquaculture
- Assessing the combined environmental and social impacts of aquaculture, and identifying management tools that could provide incentives to reduce negative impacts of aquaculture production
- Adapting to the general concept of Ecosystems services cascade
- Assessing how negative trade-offs can be minimized and sustainability improved through farm practice, management and planning approaches
- Analysing how the knowledge gained from assessment of ES and ES trade-offs can be incorporated into current planning and licensing processes