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Sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean

Restoring ecosystems for food security

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 40 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Synopsis (short abstract) The Mediterranean Sea offers an ideal context for restorative aquaculture, an innovative approach integrating environmental health with sustainable marine food production. Through the cultivation of species that also provide critical ecological services, this practice produces valuable sources of food and protein for coastal communities while aiding in restoring degraded marine environments, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating organic pollution and habitat loss. This brochure showcases six species that stand out for their promise in supporting ecosystem services, restoration and local economies: the noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis), stony sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus), Mediterranean tubular sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa), European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and Greek bathing sponge (Spongia officinalis). An overview of each species’ biology, ecology, distribution and conservation status is followed by a summary of the key ecosystem services it provides, its history of human use and current aquaculture practices, and its potential for restorative aquaculture in the Mediterranean.

Statutory body / Meeting title General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)

Language English

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