In the early stages of the professional aquaculture history in Europe, the planning process has traditionally been influenced by a combination of private (the entrepreneur) and public (government or regional authorities) interests. On the private side, the main planning elements are generally practical and financial, including the assessment of whether a project is technically viable and can become a profitable business, and where the markets for the final product remain the focal point. The role of the Producer Associations is rather obscure in the project planning process; being its main objective to offer a common voice for representation, particularly for the purposes of representative dialogue with authorities, development of common professional policies, information communication to and from members, and common professional efforts (e.g. generic marketing). During the last decade, most European Producers Associations, and so the FEAP, have become more pro-active in respect of their membership as well as with third parties.