IMTA based system in offshore environment: a Ligurian case study and hints for combining aquaculture and ecological restoration

Aquaculture represents one of the most sustainable and efficient animal and vegetal production system; it is important to keep developing sustainable aquaculture practices, environmentally andeconomically. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems may represent an excellent solution to develop sustainable aquaculture practices. Such systems, by combining the co-cultivation of fedaquaculture species (e.g., finfish) with inorganic extractive aquaculture species (e.g., seaweeds) and organic extractive species (e.g., suspension and deposit feeding invertebrates), could improveeconomic, social and environmental benefits. Within this context we should consider aquaculture and restoration combined when we envisage to implement one of the most sustainableapproaches to restoration: reproduce to restore.