Overall objective
The project aims to develop new markets and products based on cephalopods (squid, octopus, cuttlefish), increasing the profitability of the value chain, and helping to make fishers more competitive in the Atlantic Area.
It will enhance capacity to deal with economic challenges arising from the Landing Obligation, globalization of markets, etc., while assuring sustainable fishing.
Cephalopod stocks are not subject to quota management at EU level and opportunities exist to further develop fisheries and markets.
The project will connect fishermen to new markets for cephalopod products, add value to existing products, and aim for better prices for cephalopods from the Atlantic Area.
Biological and socioeconomic sustainability will be carefully audited throughout the project.
The objectives of the proposed project are to:
a) Add value to cephalopod products: development and promotion of new products, new market initiatives (e.g. certification) and business opportunities for this sector
b) Improve knowledge of the value chain (“from sea to table”), factors affecting sustainability in the short term (e.g., low prices, imports, consumer demand) and potential market developments in the long term
c) Improve knowledge of eating habits and acceptance of new cephalopod food products by consumers in North and South Europe d) Ensure sustainability of fishing activity by assessing status of stocks, fisheries and ecosystems based on biological and socioeconomic indicators.