This report describes developments in aquaculture in the Netherlands and particularly highlights the state of conservation and use of aquatic genetic resources (AqGR). The report is largely based on the contents of a survey of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for the Preparation of the First State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The aquaculture sector in The Netherlands is a relatively small and diverse sector. The sector comprises the production of mainly shellfish and fish, as well as pilot companies that produce seaweeds. Besides the relatively small aquaculture production sector, there are key multinational companies in the supply chain (breeding, feed, system design) and top educational and research institutions that cover all aspects of aquaculture. The producers of fish and shellfish are all SME’s. Production of shellfish is located mainly in the Southwest of The Netherlands, and uses the Wadden Sea for the production and collection of mussel seed. These seeds are further grown to market-size shellfish in the South Western Province of Zeeland. Fish production systems are exclusively Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), and therefore companies are not bound to (natural) water bodies. This also means that there is no direct contact and exchange between the cultured fish and their wild relatives. Total production levels of shellfish (mussel and oyster) are more or less stable (around 40-50,000 tons per year), whereas the production of fish has declined in recent years, from 12,000 tons in 2008 to around 6,000 tons in 2016. European eel and two species of catfish (African catfish and the hybrid of Vundu catfish and African catfish) are the most important fish species. As for the wild relatives of the species used in aquaculture, only the shellfish (mussel and oyster), eel, turbot and pike perch live in the wild in The Netherlands. Other species, such as the catfish species, are exotic and do not survive in the Dutch climate. In addition, some species that occur wild in The Netherlands are being produced in other European countries, but not in The Netherlands, such as carp.

Biodiversity loss is a global threat and biodiversity for food and agriculture is particularly relevant in the context of our food systems. This report discusses the current status and trends of crop, livestock and aquatic genetic diversity, in relation to food systems. The impact of decreasing or enhanced use of crop, livestock and aquatic genetic diversity – within and across species and varieties – is discussed in relation to four different food system dimensions: 1) safe and healthy diets, 2) food security, 3) inclusiveness and equal benefits, and 4) sustainability and resilience. To this end, both a literature review and stakeholder and expert interviews were used. We provide a conceptual framework for assessing trade-offs of different measures and strategies for increased use of crop, livestock and aquatic genetic diversity. We furthermore highlight key topics for future research and policy recommendations in this area.

With the ‘genomic revolution’ a continuously increasing amount of data is being generated. The Convention on Biological Diversity refers to this type of data as “Digital Sequence Information (DSI)”. Innovation in different domains and subsectors, ranging from agriculture and biodiversity conservation, to biotechnology and human health, depends on the use of DSI. Access to DSI and related technologies is crucial for any stakeholder and country, in order to reach long term food security objectives, to be able to adapt to climate change, to deal with human health issues, and to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Stakeholder consultations in the Netherlands indicate that fair and equitable benefit sharing arrangements - related to the use of DSI - should possibly only be dealt with in a multilateral context.

Het Centrum voor Genetische Bronnen, Nederland (CGN) van Wageningen University & Research voert Wettelijke OnderzoeksTaken (WOT) uit voor het Ministerie van LNV. Deze WOT (www.wur.nl/cgn) richt zich op behoud en duurzaam gebruik van genetische bronnen voor voedsel en landbouw. In verband met recente internationale afspraken over behoud en duurzaam gebruik van aquatische genetische bronnen heeft LNV aan het CGN gevraagd om te verkennen welke WOT voor aquatische genetische bronnen onderdeel zouden moeten zijn van het WOT programma genetische bronnen. FAO definieert aquatische genetische bronnen als 'farmed aquatic species and their wild relatives'. In Nederland zijn daarbij zowel verschillende soorten schelpdier, vis als zeewier relevant. Op basis van interviews met experts, met vertegenwoordigers uit de sector en op basis van literatuurbronnen zijn prioriteiten vastgesteld. Monitoring van genetische diversiteit in relevante schelpdier-, vis- en zeewiersoorten, zowel in het wild als in beheerde populaties, is de eerste prioriteit. Op basis van de monitoringsgegevens kan worden geadviseerd over specifieke maatregelen gericht op in situ en/of ex situ behoud van aquatische genetische bronnen. De WOT genenbankfaciliteiten (cryoconservering) voor landbouwhuisdierrassen kunnen ook worden benut voor lange termijn behoud van genetische diversiteit in schelpdier-, vis- en zeewiersoorten.

De WOT Genetische Bronnen richt zich op behoud en duurzaam gebruik van genetische bronnen voor voedsel, landbouw, aquacultuur, bos, natuur en landschap. De WOT wordt uitgevoerd door het Centrum voor Genetische Bronnen Nederland (CGN) van Wageningen University & Research. Het CGN levert een belangrijke bijdrage aan de implementatie van internationale afspraken en regelgeving (CBD, NP, FAO, EU). De WOT Genetische Bronnen draagt zorg voor instandhouding van een brede genetische basis in genenbankcollecties (ex situ). De collecties zijn beschikbaar voor onderzoek, veredeling en fokkerij, en voor de instandhouding van bio-cultureel erfgoed, de aanleg van bossen, en instandhouding van een aantrekkelijk landschap. Naast het beheer van genenbankcollecties (ex situ) ondersteunt en monitort CGN de instandhouding van genetische diversiteit “in het veld” (in situ en on-farm).