The objective of the EAS Thematic Groups is to create a forum among EAS members that share a common interest within the wider aquaculture field and wish to take advantage of the EAS membership and its wide geographical reach of members.

The forums may be used to inform of latest initiatives; seek partners for new research; look to better manage research activities between organisations and institutes and give an insight into what is potentially (and hopefully) coming in the future. They may organize theme sessions and other activities at each Aquaculture Europe meeting, and maintain thematic online discussion facilities on this web site. Through these activities, the groups will enable members to maintain continuous information exchange in specialist areas, and to take a more pro-active approach to the organisation of conference sessions and the communication of theuir outputs.

Current groups

Bringing back our native Oyster (since 2017)	Over recent years, interest in the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, has been revived and various EU projects, national research initiatives and industry self-financing have supported this interest to develop our knowledge. This group will address the current status of the flat oyster sector and identify needs that if solved, will provide an impetus for an increase in production of an emblematic shellfish species. It is comprised of sub-groups addressing hatchery production, ongrowing, genetics, pathologies, restoration and governance and is facilitated by Rosa Fernandez and Gercende Courtois de Viçose.
European Eel - development of breeding and hatchery technology (EEL-DBHT) (since 2017)	In recent years, targeted research has steadily advanced methodologies for captive breeding as well as larval culture technology leading to first-feeding larval trials. The next challenge is to develop suited diets and culture technology supporting larval survival and growth with the ultimate goal to produce glass eels. In this context, the thematic group aims at bringing together representatives of research groups and projects engaged in eel aquaculture, conser­vation and management to facilitate cooperation. It also aims at integrating researchers, pro­ducers and stakeholders with insight in hatchery technology of other fish species to enhance knowledge exchange and development. The group is open to all members of the EAS. Moder­ated by Jonna Tomkiewicz, Caroline Durif and Peter De Schryver.
European Percid Fish Culture (EPFC) (Since 2012)	Bringing together all those with an interest in the culture of pike-perch, perch and other species of the family percidae for human consumption, stocking and conservation. The goal of EPFC is to involve representatives from the sector in a network and to facilitate future cooperation and knowledge transfer, profiting from the high level of proficiency of all EPFC participants. The group is open to all members of the EAS and explicitly invites farmers and producers as well as scientists and policy makers. LinkedIn group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4282614 Moderated by Stefan Meyer and Stefan Teerlinck.
Copepods – Live feed for marine species (COPEAT) (Since 2016)	The purpose of this thematic group is to bring together all those with an interest in rearing copepods and the feed for copepods such as microalgae. The group will also address copepods used as live feed for a variety of fish species, relevant for the aquaculture industry and for research in general. The goal of COPEAT is to promote collaboration within this field and involve representatives from the sector in a network. COPEAT will also promote dissemination of copepods used in aquaculture both in Europe and Internationally. COPEAT will further focus on the commercial aspect and applications of copepods as live feed in aquaculture and for different aquatic organisms. The group is open to all members of the EAS and embraces copepod producers, fish farmers using or interested in using copepods as live feed, policy makers and researchers. LinkedIn group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8509585  Moderated by Per Meyer Jepsen.

Past groups

· Interactions between aquaculture and fisheries (2006-2008). Originally conceived to highlight these and encourage more research in the area. Moderated by Kai Lorenzen.

· Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) (2006-2009). This group looked to address the current status and future development of RAS systems within the bigger picture of aquaculture technology, especially focussing on commercial applications, their up scaling to industrial scale and their use for a wide range of species currently produced throughout Europe. Moderated by Oliver Schneider.

· European shellfish culture expertise (Euroshell) (2008-2012). Addressing research topics that are relevant for developing shellfish culture in Europe and stimulating the formation of a corresponding research agenda. The agenda should be helpful for funding agencies in the design of their research programs. Moderated by Aad Smaal. The work of this group led to the formation of a consortium that successfully replied to an EU FP7 funding call, resulting in the project of the same name http://www.euroshell-net.eu

· Controlled reproduction and larval rearing of the European eel (2006-2009). Successful and controlled reproduction of eel in captivity would be advantageous for eel farming particularly in the light of the critically low levels of the wild eel populations. This group will bring together EAS members involved in this exciting area. Several research projects are ongoing, and their informal ‘clustering' through the EAS thematic groups could help to speed up this reality. Moderated by Guido van den Thillart. While this group is no longer functioning, the EU project PROEEL organised several specific sessions in our Aquaculture Europe events, while the project was ongoing.