Assessing the sustainability performance of the aquaculture sector in Italy in the context of the circular economy

Recent European strategies and organizational changes within the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund have made the long-term sustainability of aquaculture a top priority in the agenda, driven by population growth and increasing market demand that are changing the way aquaculture is talked about in the public debate. These developments are occurring in a remarkably short amount of time, and the necessity of sustainable transformation and ability to effectively address increased demand prompts the question of which production model to adopt in the near future. The project aims to consider, among the sustainable models, the potential of circular economy approach, among fact and stakeholders’ views in the Italian aquaculture sector. The thesis is divided into four chapters. In the first chapter, a literature review provided a theoretical framework on the most widely used circular practices, and case studies conducted in the aquaculture sector. In the second chapter, the goal was to understand the perceptions of relevant stakeholders acting “From Farm To Fork” on the circular economy approach and related strategies. In the third chapter, the proposed outcome is to offer a feasible trajectory to guide the European sector's circular transition. A circular transition model for aquaculture companies is proposed, within which the concepts of circular readiness (in financial and cognitive terms), and circular maturity (in terms of implemented strategies) are proposed. In the fourth chapter, a case study on the application of insect meal, the most popular innovative practice to reach circular economy in literature was studied within Italian trout farms. The collected results can raise awareness of the role of the circular economy approach in meeting the future challenges of the Italian aquaculture sector and offer policy implications for strengthening the knowledge infrastructure and supporting paradigm shift strategies.