The main objective of SAFE project is to reduce the environmental impact and improve the viability of the FW aquaculture by applying circular economy (CE) approaches to the valorisation of solid and liquid wastes from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems.

The economic viability of FW aquaculture will be improved through major advances in management systems and the integration of waste streams from FW aquaculture systems (FWAS) into the aquaculture feed chain. SAFE will enable the uptake of these solutions through local and regional scale demonstrations across the EU and will document the necessary management and governance conditions for successful transferability. The multidisciplinary expertise of the consortium across a wide range of systems, species and geographies will target the enhancement of species of particular biodiversity concerns, such as European native crayfish. We will improve the sustainability of FW aquaculture production and investigate the feasibility of diversification through the culture of under-represented species (perch) and valuable crayfish species with declining populations. Lastly, we will compare the experiences of EU FW aquaculture to Chinese FWAS and value chains, the largest, fastest-growing and most diverse aquaculture sector in the world, using mutual knowledge sharing to improve the sustainability of aquaculture in China and the EU. SAFE, through extensive dissemination activities, knowledge transfer programmes, training workshops and collaborative engagement with industry and stakeholders, will support the development of professional skills and competencies of the FW aquaculture both within the EU and partner countries.