Aquaculture presents an important potential for growth and diversification in the Atlantic Area, which could make it possible to compensate for the job losses engendered by the reduction of fishing quotas. The AAAG project aims to support the development and modernisation of this industry and to encourage practices which respect the environment of the Atlantic Area, by means of the creation of a network, the ‘Aquaculture Group of the Atlantic Arc’. On the basis of two main themes promoting an aquaculture which respects the environment, and applying genetics to aquaculture five sub-projects will be carried out, among which are the utilisation of a micro-algae to reduce the quantity of nitrates in sea water, and the development of species of bivalves with rapid growth and resistance to disease. Expected Results: ✔ The size of the project has generated significant economies of scale: 5 sub-projects and the setting up of a network taken separately are by far the biggest. ✔ The creation of the Atlantic Area Aquaculture Group, an internationally renowned high calibre group, has led to work that has benefited the aquaculture industry; ✔ The setting up of five distinct sub-projects has led to the following assessments: Diversification, contribution to Economic Development, Viability, Genetic Improvement, Reduction of the environmental impact of aquaculture; ✔ A lasting network of a rich collaboration between the partners is beneficial to the Atlantic Area; ✔ Open meetings guided by the partners in industry and the government; ✔ A powerful support from the aquaculture industry with the Atlantic Area identity; ✔ Raising the Atlantic profile through internationally published, high quality work, press relations, open meetings on the website; ✔ A bottom-up contribution to sustainable development in the Atlantic Area. ✔ The selection of species of micro-algae was the most practical for cultivation along the west coast of Scotland in terms of biological species and in terms of added commercial value of the marine algae. ✔ The algae (from sub-project 25) were tested as diet ingredients and these species have been used in part to reduce the impact on these poly-cultures. ✔ Techniques for cultivation for the original production of fry fish for a commercial value have been put forward. ✔ 9 scientific papers with the results of AAAG have been disseminated in international newspapers, and 4 others are in the preparatory stages and pending publication. Website: www.arcaqua.org in English, 10 conferences to present the results disseminated on 32 different occasions by the Atlantic Area Aquaculture Group of the AAAG project. A twice-yearly newsletter during the AAAG project lifespan, twice-yearly group meetings (La Tremblade (France) (28 participants), Cork (Ireland) (18 participants), Oban – Scotland (UK) (12 participants), Florence (Italy). 32 seminars attended by between 10 and 600 people, 6 workshops with 38 participants, 10 press articles, 2000 brochures (electronic and paper) in English, 60 leaflets in English, 12 posters in French and English, 1 radio bulletin in Charente-Maritime (France).