More than two thirds of the world's surface is covered by oceans, which have the largest share of global biodiversity. Approximately less than 1% of marine organisms are known so far. These underexplored marine organisms could be resources for e.g. novel enzymes, biopolymers, biological active natural products and biomaterials with applications in food sector, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, in industrial processes as well as in the field of sustainable energy production. The global market for marine biotechnology products is estimated at 2.8 billion euros. The cumulative rate of growth is calculated conservatively at 4-5%.1
Aquaculture production in the Baltic Sea Region is rather low due to unfavourable natural conditions. The limited space available for new activities, especially in the coastal zone, calls for new management initiatives that combine open systems in the Baltic Sea waters with land-based “In-house farming”. The establishment of an environment-safe, sustainable aquaculture industry based on closed-cycle technology can create new jobs. Aquaculture in the traditional way is often a part-time occupation, as a result of the variations in seasonal resource availability. With closed-cycle technology it is possible to establish a seasons-independent breeding system.