Guiding aquaculture companies towards the transition for a Circular Economy (CE): opportunities, practices, and methods for measuring environmental performances

Chapter 1: This research identifies key gaps in aquaculture sustainability, highlighting the lack of a clear focus on the circular economy in aquaculture as a holistic approach. The aim of this research is to explore the potential for CE principles to drive transformative action in the aquaculture sector. The objectives are structured around the following research questions (RQ): - RQ1: “What is the state of the art in the academic literature of Circular Economy in the aquaculture food sector, with a magnifying lens on opportunities, practices and sustainability assessment methods?”. To investigate the state of academic interest and research in CE within the aquaculture sector, identifying current trends, gaps, and opportunities. - RQ2: “What is the state of knowledge and diffusion of Circular Economy in aquaculture companies, with a magnifying lens on opportunities, practices and sustainability assessment methods?”. To assess the knowledge and diffusion of CE principles among aquaculture companies, and examine how producers perceive CE practices, the barriers and drivers to adoption, and the lessons learned. The aim is to provide an in-depth characterization of CE practices and their practical relevance for the sector. - RQ3: “How can aquaculture companies assess and prioritise hot spots to design sustainable Circular Economy actions and practices?”. This research question aims to explore, through a case study with a research project partner aquaculture company, how an aquaculture company addresses environmental challenges and its readiness to adopt CE practices. By focusing on the specific characteristics of the company's production processes, the research will use the life cycle assessment (LCA) method to assess whether the integration of tailored CE solutions can improve environmental sustainability and provide actionable insights for wider application in the sector.