Since the publication of the first National Programme for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Aquatic Genetic Resources in 2005, several projects have been carried out to implement it (as of July 2022):

• 12 survey projects to characterise the genetic diversity of aquatic genetic resources
• 8 model and demonstration projects (MuD) for the conservation and innovative use of the biological diversity of aquatic genetic resources
• 3 international cooperation projects

The basis for the funding of these measures is provided by BMEL funding instruments that specifically serve the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the area of genetic resources for food and agriculture. With the funding of the projects carried out to date, important milestones have been reached in the implementation of the National Programme for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Aquatic Genetic Resources.

The results of the listed research projects document the genetic diversity of the characterised species and thus provide a central basis for the further sustainable management of these valuable genetic resources. Species-specific recommendations for practical measures could be derived for fisheries management. On the basis of the genetic findings, further efforts can be made to clarify open and newly raised questions.

In the aquaculture sector, specific phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of regional farmed fish stocks have been documented and the risk of loss of genetic diversity in the traditionally small-scale German aquaculture sector has been highlighted.

Model and demonstration projects in the field of conservation and innovative use of biological diversity have proven to be an important and reliable instrument for implementing the objectives of the Sectoral Programme.

At the international level, the BMEL supported, among other things, the preparation of the First World Status Report on Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (SoW AqGR).