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Le Groupe de travail du Conseil Consultatif de l’Aquaculture consacr\u00e9 aux questions horizontales est \u00e0 la recherche d’un consultant pour d\u00e9velopper des crit\u00e8res et une m\u00e9thodologie pour d\u00e9terminer les zones aquacoles dans l’am\u00e9nagement de l’espace marin dans l’UE<\/strong>. Ci-dessous se trouvent les termes de r\u00e9f\u00e9rence (en anglais) :<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Terms of Reference for the review<\/strong><\/p>\n Through a consultative process with relevant stakeholders and a review of relevant best available science, to identify, analyse and advice criteria and methodology that can support determining aquaculture zones for EU Member States. The submission will be used as a guide for the Aquaculture Advisory Council Working Group on Horizontal Issues to develop recommendations for approval by the Executive Committee to be submitted to EU Member States and the European Commission.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Background<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Context<\/span><\/p>\n The EU\u2019s Maritime Spatial Planning Directive has been established to guide Member States in planning their seas in order to deal with competition for maritime space, including for aquaculture areas, enabling the sea to be managed more coherently. The legislation also requires that this is done through an ecosystem based approach to ensure the sustainability of human activities at sea. Furthermore, species and habitats protected under the Birds and Habitats Directives have strict protection. Therefore Member States need to identify the best areas for aquaculture sites, but ensuring that these conform to environmental standards and limit impact of aquaculture production at sea.<\/p>\n Summary of Actions already taken<\/p>\n A preliminary report has been produced by an external consultant and delivered on October 31st 2017. It consolidated known interactions between aquaculture and biodiversity in order to assist the identification criteria for Marine Spatial Planning, including Allocated Zones for Aquaculture (AZAs) and Aquaculture Free Zones (AFZs).<\/p>\n The report focused on (i) Vulnerable species, (ii) Vulnerable habitats, (iii) Pathways, (iv) Mitigation methods, (v) Case studies.<\/p>\n The report has been discussed on 1st<\/sup> of March 2018 by the working group on horizontal issues.<\/p>\n As a follow up to the preliminary report, the AAC would externalise further support to develop a criteria\/methodology toolkit for identifying AZAs and AFZs under a marine spatial plan.<\/p>\n Scope of the criteria analysis<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Objective<\/span><\/p>\n Through a consultative process with relevant stakeholders and a review of relevant best available science, to identify, analyse and advice methodology and criteria that can support determining aquaculture zones at sea for EU Member States.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Areas to addresses<\/span><\/p>\n <\/em>List of criteria that Member States establishes standards for which aquaculture areas are decided on<\/p>\n Develop a methodology (utilizing the list of criteria within a mathematical equation) that can be further used to map sensitivity of protected species and habitats to aquaculture as well as aquaculture needs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deliverables and timeline<\/span><\/p>\n <\/em>15th May 2019 \u2013 draft document for consultation by Working Group on Horizontal Issues<\/p>\n 5-6th June 2019 \u2013 webinar or in situ discussion with the Working Group on Horizontal Issues Members<\/p>\n 1st of October 2019 \u2013 Delivery of final document<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Budget<\/span><\/p>\n It is proposed that the work will be carried out within 20 working days, between 1st<\/sup> of April until 1st<\/sup> of October and will cost a total of 6,000 EUR.<\/p>\n