Development of blue energy, aquaculture and control and monitoring systems

Water, seas and oceans, apart from being of vital importance in the ecosystem of our planet, also represent a relevant sector for the economy. This is why in Europe more and more attention is given to Blue Growth with different intervention plans dedicated to it. According to EU statistics, the economy connected to this sector at present employs 5,4 million people with a gross added value of 500 billion euros per year. Huge data which seem to indicate the maximum use of its potential whereas, in fact, some sectors still present plenty of scope for improvement. Among the sectors requiring intervention, those that best appeal to the activities of the “Distretto Tecnologico Sicilia Micro e Nano Sistemi” are aquaculture, the monitoring and control systems and the exploitation of what is known as “blue energy”. The EU is decisively aiming at the first as it represents 20% of Europe’s fish production (with 85 thousand employees) but it has substantially been stable for 20 years whereas the world growth of the sector is 7% by year per annum. Besides, aquaculture, guarantees high quality, sustainability and high standards of Consumer protection.