A Symposium on Aquaculture Development – Partnership between Science and Producer Associations was organized from 26 May to 29 May 2004 in conjunction with the Twentythird Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) in Wierzba, Poland. The Symposium was convened by Mr L. Váradi (Hungary) and chaired by Mr K. Goryczko (Poland) and was attended by 72 participants from 23 countries.

In its first part this document contains the Report of the Symposium which was presented to and approved by the Twenty-third Session of EIFAC. The Proceedings of this Symposium, presented in the second part of this document, were edited and finalized by Mr M. New and Mr L. Váradi. In consultation with the members of the editorial board, Ms S. Stead, Mr M. Ciesla and Mr C. Hough, fourteen experience papers have been selected for publication in these proceedings. The topics of these selected papers were considered the most relevant to the main theme of the Symposium.

The Symposium on Aquaculture Development – Partnership between Science and Producer Associations was held in Wierzba, Poland, from 26 May to 29 May 2004 in concomitance with the Twenty-third Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC). The Symposium was attended by 72 participants from 23 countries. Five invited papers, 37 experience papers and three posters were presented. The Symposium considered existing and possible partnerships and collaboration between aquaculture producers and scientists, government officials and other stakeholders. The Symposium further addressed opportunities and needs of aquaculture producer associations, and identified measures and recommendations to strengthen participation, activities and positions of aquaculture associations in the management and development of the aquaculture sector in Europe. In addition to the report of the Symposium, this document contains the Symposium proceedings which commence with a review of the key elements from five invited papers presented by representatives of the European Commission (EC), the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), the European Aquaculture Society (EAS), Aquaculture Technology and Training (AquaTT) and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA). Fourteen selected experience papers, presented by authors from France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, Turkey and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, cover, inter alia, aquaculture, conservation, cooperation, economic transition, ecotourism, education, fisheries, management, planning, partnerships, policy, producers associations, product chains, recirculation, risks, stakeholder participation, sustainability and the role of science.