November 18th 1985 - Day One
1.1 GENERAL PRESENTATION
- General aspect. The development of aquaculture in MOROCCO depends on fishery planning. A study has been done by F.A.O/MEDRAP on the aquaculture possibilities in this country. These are not greatly developed due to the lack of suitable sites and to limited available technology.
- History. Aquaculture first started in 1956, south of CASABLANCA, in the form of growing-out stations for imported cupped oyster seeds. This strictly private activity, limited to the Atlantic coast, only concerned its direct promoters, and wasn't the object of any state intervention.
- Present production situation. It is limited to four oyster farmers. The seed is imported, the companies are dependant on foreign technology (3 cupped oyster producers in Oualidia, producing a total of 200 tonnes, 1 flat oyster producer is in the process of setting up in NADOR).
- Institutional context:
- General orientation. Aquaculture is not one of Morocco's priorities. However, we can hope to see it in the next five-year plan starting in 1986 (Statement by Uli SCHMIT). Aquaculture is not included in a national development programme nor is it governed by a specific administrative body.
- Infrastructure. On a local level, aquaculture production still lacks an infrastructure (fry, seeds, feed, technicians). At national level, the infrastructure consists of very limited human and material means provided by the I.S.T.P.M. and which is being tranferred to NADOR. The Ministry of Agriculture has a fresh water hatchery at AZROU for restocking purposes. There is no special training in this area. Personnel training and a defined programme were set up thanks to an international MEDRAP grant.
- Development projects
- NADOR lagoon,
growing of flat oysters collected in situ,
farming of grey mullets, bass, sea-bream and shrimp.
- OUM-ER-TBIA springs,
trout farming project aiming for a yearly production level of
300 tonnes, 200 kilometres from MARRAKECH.
- Market situation
On the whole, Morocco is self sufficient in sea products. The new production will, therefore, be oriented towards export markets. (An answer to a question formulated by Algeria on luxury markets). In particular, fish culture productions at NADOR, with the exception of grey mullet are especially for Spain (Sea-bream, bass) or more generally for western Europe (Shrimp).
Both present and projected oyster production is aimed at the CASABLANCA and OUALIDIA (restaurants) markets.
1.2. THE PLANNING OF THE NADOR LAGOON. This is an illustration of socio-economic problems of aquaculture (See appendix 1 - the technical paper submitted by the Moroccan delegation).
- Presentation of the site and production. The NADOR lagoon is the only Moroccan aquaculture site on the Mediterranean coast. It has a surface area of 11,400 hectares. At this point, 200 families of fishermen fish in this area using gill-nets. Some French concerns have fished for eel. A private company has begun the collection and farming of flat oysters.
- Scientific and technical knowledge of fishery resources. Only a few and somewhat unsystematic studies were carried out on the lagoon and have revealed that there is a progressive decrease in salinity. No socio-economic study has been undertaken.
- Setting up of projects and ensuing socio-economic problems. In 1976, certain incidents broke out between private companies fishing for eel and traditional fishermen. The fishermen started exploiting this resource themselves due to the opening up of this market.
The access channel to the Mediterranean was closed off. This also created problems. At last, in 1982, a group of Breton oyster farmers were put in charge of installating oyster beds. The initial results are encouraging and therefore inspire a more ambitious project of complementing the oyster with clam, shrimp, bass, sea-bream and grey mullet farming. The Government sees this as a source of local employment and the creation of new resources.
- The socio-economical uncertainties. The opposition of traditional fishermen to a previous initiative and to the present project raises a problem of coexistance between the two activities : zoning of the lagoon, integration of traditional workforces within the new activities, maintaining the existing resources, profitability of the aquaculture projects within this conflicting context in terms of employment and amortization.
2.1. GENERAL PRESENTATION
- Geophysical background. Algeria has the possibility to develop aquaculture, either in its two natural lakes, MELLAH (which communicates with the sea) and OUBEIRA (fresh water) or in artificial stretches of water (There are large dams and hillside reservoirs).
- Origin of the aquaculture development programme
- Difficult beginnings : The development of small aquaculture units began at the end of the 19th century in Algeria. These first traditional farms disappeared due to lack of support. The projects undertaken by the F.A.O. has disappointing results with the exception of shellfish farming in lake MELLAH. These setbacks are due to the lack of qualified Algerian workforces.
- Establishment of an ad hoc structure : The Government then set up a structure to administer fisheries. The plan was then to develop aquaculture on a scale which would contribute to the economic development of the country. In 1980, a very ambitious study identified of all the elements required for the implementation of a programme.
2.2. ALGERIAN AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
- Exploitation of lagoon areas. The EL KALA aquaculture unit has started to develop fish culture in lake MELLAH and OUBEIRA : Number of employees : a total of 92 people.
- Improvement of fisheries. Fish production in these two lakes is 130 tonnes (115 tonnes in 1985; Grey mullet, sea-bream, bass, eel, sole, barbel).
- Aquaculture development. With the help of MEDRAP, the unit will be endowd with a hatchey and a growing-out station.
- Improvement of fish culture in ponds : Development planning for the Mazafran fish culture station - Current number of employees : 27 ; ornemental fish, fish farming in conjunction with animal husbandry, fingerling production for restocking purposes.
- Restocking : Reintroducing fry and brood-fish (carp, pike perch, cat-fish). Study of a structure for exploitation.
- Complementary public initiatives :
- Creation of a national office for aquaculture production and development.
- Training activities
- Registry on a national level of the development of aquaculture farms, shellfish culture, fish ponds.
- Obtaining foreign assistance for the implementation of projects (U.N.D.P. in particular).
2.3. FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION ON REPORTS FROM MOROCCO AND ALGERIA
OPENING DISCUSSION (Chairman FERLIN)
Emcompassing the critical points : A country by country submission permitted certain major points to be covered. Such as in Morocco, the goal of aquaculture is to gain export markets and to create employment. This is not an exclusive strategy and presents certain stumbling-blocks : lack of available markets, unreasonable level of investments for the number of jobs created.
- Diversity of problems (SCHMIDT) : The comparison of Morocco and Algeria is pertinent to illustrating the range of aquaculture problems. At one extreme, Morocco, with important fish stocks, views aquaculture as a sector for creating jobs and income. At the other extreme is Algeria which is poor in fish stocks, and views aquaculture as the only way to make up for its deficit in this area.
- The market (Questions put to the Algerian representative).
- The production level is such that there is no problem of market sales for Algerian production (115 tonnes), one part is exported (eels).
- Due to their prices, most species are not accessible to the average local population with the exception of grey mullet.
- This production is based on traditional lagoon fishing. The effects of aquaculture production are not yet tangible.
- Structure of production (Question put to the Algerian representative). The present programme is assured by public investment. It is only in the later stages of development that the private can invest in this activity (after the programme has proved itself valid at mastership level).
- Compatibility of traditional fishing methods and aquaculture systems (Question put to the Moroccan representative). The idea is to associate fisherman with the project by providing them with equipment, management and fixed price markets. Later, they will become completely autonomous. The aquaculture development projects would obviously have an impact on fishing communities which are not yet able to be evaluated, in particular, in NADOR (as mentioned by the Chairman Mr. FERLIN).
3.1. GEO-PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL OUTLINE
Greece has many advantages for aquaculture development :
- There are 50 lagoons which cover 40,000 hectares,
- Numerous sheltered gulfs and bays,
- High water temperatures which are favourable to fast growth.
However certain limiting factors cannot be ignored :
- Polluted zones are unfavourable for shellfish culture (MERMAIKOS),
- Low seed production rates.
3.2. PRESENT STATE OF FISH PRODUCTION
- Lagoon production
Lagoon production presently remains extensive in traditional fishery systems. Annual production is 2 800 tonnes of bass, sea-bream, eel and grey mullet. The lagoons are owned by the state who in turn rents them to private individuals or to fishing cooperatives.
- The development of lagoon production is subject to a semi-extensive and rationalized resource management. An illustration of this is the granting of the MESSOLOGUI lagoons (250 hectares) to the riverside municipality and of the GIALOUA lagoon (250 hectares) to an association made up of two banks. In the second case, the combination of semi-extensive and intensive production should yield 70 tonnes per year (bass, grey mullet, sea-bream) for an initial investment of 150,000,000 drachmas.
- Market situation for lagoon products. The species caught have a high commercial value : bass, sea-bream and eel, The very favourable increase of selling prices and the positive market prospects make this an area to be developed depending on the availability of brackish waters.
- Fish culture both in cages and in tanks (fresh water). Greece is in a beginning phase so it is difficult to discern the real economic trends in this sector. At the moment intensive growing-out is carried out in five units with an overall yearly production rate of between 250 and 500 tonnes (bass, sea-bream). Fingerlings are obtained by capture or in hatcheries. A private, experimental fish farm is working on eel culture.
- Freshwater farming
- Trout farming . Its development since 1960 has been spectacular. Today there are 108 stations which produce 1,640 tonnes per year. Trout farming's potential is high but it depends on market orientation (sea below) and the extension of artificial feeding.
- Carp farming . Technical conditions for this type of farming (growing-out) are favourable in Greece : high temperatures, appropriate sites. There are two intensive units and fifteen poorly managed farms.
- Market situation for freshwater products. The Greek consumer is not really attracted to freshwater fish. However, the shortfall in natural fish production and the development of tourism may open this domestic market. The present regions of carp production in Thrace, Macedonia and Epirus, which could provide a few more hundred tonnes but no more. Exporting trout to E.E.C. countries requires an extra effort by the producers both for the quality and minimum size of their product.
3.3. THE PARTICULAR CASE OF SHELLFISH CULTURE
- The sites are good, growth is rapid but pollution and low seed productivity are limiting factors.
- With a potential of 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes per year per site, 23 mussel beds produce only 200 tonnes per year. The small size of the market seems to be a limiting factor.
3.4. QUESTIONS PUT TO THE GREEK REPRESENTATIVE
- Question relative to the market . Aquaculture products hold little attraction for consumers and prices remain low. Greece only exports captured eel (700 tonnes), trout and mussels.
- Government objectives. Measures for the distribution of fish products, and to encourage the entry of national industries into the aquaculture field (for the manufacture of fish cages for example), complete control of water quality, promotion of mariculture products.
Background information
In Cyprus, there are now at various stages of construction, three private marine commercial farms for the culture of sea-bass and sea-breams. Another one is in its final stages of planning. In addition, the Government owns a small marine fish hatchery and broodfish rearing and stocking cage unit in PAPHOS harbour. Steps are presently being taken for the setting up of a governmental marine hatchery station. The intensive method of culture, combined to some extent with the semi-intensive method, is expected to be employed in all commercial farms. This is justified by the existing situation as regards the coastal land.
4.1. AVAILABILITY OF COASTAL LAND-RESTRICTIONS ON SETTING UP AND RUNNING OF FISH FARMS
There are not protected bays, estuaries, lagoons, marshes or extensive coastal stretches which could be used for fish culture. The total length of the coastline of Cyprus is 782 km out of which 413 km are the occupied Turkish part of the Island, 72.82 km belong to the Sovereign British bases, and 296 km is controlled by the Cyprus Government. There is a great pressure for tourist development. along the coast. A great part of the coastal land is covered by zoning restrictions formulated under the Streets and Building Regulation Law which controls the use and the intensity of use, defining residential, tourist, conservation, industrial, agricultural zones, etc… There is no provision as yet for aquaculture, which is a quite recent development. One such farm is built in an agricultural zone, on land which is poor for agricultural purposes, while the Government's new hatchery is expected to be set up in a tourist zone.
In addition on Town Planning Zones, the Foreshore Protection Law has some provisions which control human activities on the seashore. The most important is the enforcement of a building line acting as the limit to the development of buildings on the seashore. The strip of land between the seashore and the building line varies according to the topography, being usually 200–300 ft wide. In this area no permanent installations are allowed unless specific permission is granted by the Council of Ministers
There are also some other laws that regulate to a lesser extent activities on the seashore and the sea like the Fisheries Law, the Immovable Property law which provides for the leasing of the seashore for fisheries, etc…
Because of the limited coastal land and the great demand by various prospective users, its price is very high. So the Government leases suitable coastal land to prospective fishfarmers after scrutinizing a prefeasibility study of their farm and plans. The rent granted is low and the lease is on longterm basis (33 years, with option for renewal). The area in question is usually about 40 donums (about 5,4 ha). One of the farms is on Government land, another one is expected to be set up on forest land, while the other two are on private land.
The Fisheries Law provides for regulations which could limit “the number, in terms of establishment and running of Fish Farms, as well as the selection of the people to whom a fish farm licence will be granted”. No such regulations were formulated as yet, although this will be necessary in the future. Presently no licence is required from the Department of Fisheries for the setting up of a fish farm. Also the Fisheries Regulations of 1981 under the Fisheries Law, impose standards for effluents running into the sea (intended for factories) and regulate the import of live fish for culture.
4.2. MARKET SITUATION
Production - Imports
There is excellent market potential for marine aquaculture products as there is a shortage of fresh marine fish and limitations to the increase of fish production by fishing or freshwater aquaculture. Fisheries contribute about 1.7% to the gross national product. Local production meets only 46% of the total consumption. In 1984 total domestic fisheries yielded about 2,300 T valued at about US $ 8,000,000*. This included about 56 T of cultivated trout and about 183 T from trawl fishing trips to international waters which were Government subsidized. About 56 T were fish of A and B quality. In addition about 2,700 T valued at about US $ 6,200,00 had to be imported. This included about 141 T of good quality fresh fish.
Consumers
Marine fish are highly esteemed by Cypriots. The consumption of fish per capita, in 1984 was 9.21 kg. A significant part of the good quality fish is consumed by the continuously growing tourist industry, the major industry of the Island : In 1984, about 735,000 tourists visited Cyprus (local population 538,400). The demand for seafish is gradually increasing. It is anticipated that much larger quantities of fish could be sold, if available at reasonable prices.
Prices
As a result of the shortage of freshmarine fish, its price is high. During 1984, prime quality fish were sold at about US $ 9/kg gross and US $ 11.5/ kg retail, while second quality secured US $ 5/kg gross and US $ 8.5/kg retail. Prices during summer were higher by up to 20% due to higher demand from the tourist industry.
It is anticipated that aquaculture products (mainly bass and bream) will command high prices considered as good quality fish. Brackish water tilapia is already marketed at US $ 7.65/kg retail (chilled, ungutted) and US $ 6.4/kg gross. The fixing of the price of aquaculture products is expected to be done not according to their actual cost, but while taking into consideration the price of marine fish of similar quality.
- Outlets - Distribution
Traditionally, fresh marine fish is sold wholesale to the fish mongers by both inshore fishermen and trawlers at prices fixed through contract. Retailing of the fish is undertaken in special shops in the main towns and stands in the municipal markets. In the country-side fish marketing is carried out by using the retailers'cars. Generally, the supply of fresh fish to the countryside is rather seasonal and inadequate.
The marketing of the farmed marine fish could be undertaken by the producers (gross or retail). The fish could be sold at specialized sale markets, or directly to hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, etc… This is presently being done with trout, which are sold at markets, in certain cases along with other food products. Aquaculture products could also be sold in existing fresh seafish systems although there are quite exclusive, they ensure good profit to the middle men. However this can not be considered as very probable since the system is controlled mainly by the fish mongers who have interest in fisheries.
The favourable environmental conditions (high sea temperature 15–30°C, clean water) could possibly result in end products which could be sold at competitive prices abroad. There exist good plane connections with both Europe, Near East, and Gulf countries which could facilitate the export of aquaculture products.
Prospects
In the early stages of production no price competition between marine fish and farmed fish is expected. Boss and gilthead sea-bream, and especially bass, are scarce in Cyprus, but no marketing problems are envisaged, as the Cypriot prefers the taste of sea-fish to that of freshwater fish. Farmed fish is likely to substitute imported fresh, good quality fish. In the longrun, with the expected increase of farmed fish, possible conflicts may arise, due to competition with the marine fish which may affect their prices. This is not expected in the next few years. All four commercial farms will operative in stages and are scheduled, in the first stage, to reach an average of about 50 T p.a. each.
It is not advisable, at this stage, to take measures restricting aquaculture development, considering the ad hoc technological problems of the intensive fish production methods. Export of fish could serve as a safety value, while import restrictions could be imposed when required. Presently fish are imported duty free, with the exception of crustacea. As the production of farmed fish increases, the Government could re-examine its position on subsidized fishing trips, etc…
- Financing
The prospective aquaculturists could secure loans covering, in some instances, up to 60% of their capital investment. Potential sources of finance are the Government (though the Loan Commissioners), the Cyprus Development Bank Ltd, the Central Cooperative Bank and other Banks. They all require immovable property as security for the loan. In the case of farms built on leased land, the installations could serve as such, on the condition that the lease agreement is for over 15 years. The interest ranges between 5 – 6% for loans granted by the Government and 9% for loans granted by banks. The Cyprus Development Bank Ltd can also participate as a share holder in selected project from 5% to 25%. In all cases, the techno-economical aspects of the projects are examined and the view of the Department of fisheries are taken into consideration.
- Other
The formulation of special income tax incentives to encourage investments in aquaculture operations is not considered necessary for the moment; there is great interest in the setting up of marine farms by the private sector.
As regards import duties almost all equipment which is used in fish culture as well as fish food ingredients, are imported duty free.
(See also opening declaration by the Commissioner of Fisheries and Appendix II, technical document on the market for fish).
5.1. GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
Tunisia has 80,000 hectares of lagoons and coastal lakes and 20,000 hectares of mountain lakes and stretches of freshwater. The species found in these sites are grey mullet, bass, sea-bream, eel and shrimp.
5.2. PRODUCTION
- Traditional production of lagoon fish. (fish traps, gill-nets). Production in inland waters only represent a negligible proportion of the total fish production, about 4%, for an average production of less than 2,500 tonnes per year.
- Shellfish production. Very low, less than 150 tonnes per year (less than 140 tonnes of mussels and less than 15 tonnes of oysters). Oysters and mussels are produced in MENZEL-JEMIL and mostly sold to the cleansing station in RAOUD, near TUNIS.
5.3. MARKET TRENDS
- By contrast, the market for lagoon fish production (bass, sea-bream, grey mullet, shrimp), is constantly on the increase. The market absorbs all production and at attractive prices. 80% of eels are exported to Italy. This market doesn't seem to be saturated and appears to offer further outlets for this species at relatively high prices.
- On the other hand shellfish are practically ignored by the Tunisian consumer due to both high prices and eating habits. Therefore at the moment, shellfish production projects can be ruled out.
- The same remarks can be made for freshwater fish (carp, barbel) which rarely find a market.
5.4. UNCERTAINTY OF SHELLFISH POLICIES
- Difficulties faced by the initial programmes
- The failure of freshwater aquaculture. The initial aquaculture projects in freshwater have failed. The species produced weren't appreciated by consumers. Plans for the exploitation of reservoirs and high-lying lakes presently held up by technical obstacles to the raising of a marketable species (grey mullet? ).
- The economic uncertainties of mariculture. There is a long experimental phase involved. Both national and international efforts enabled many studies and research to be carried out. The transition to an operational phase has given rise to numerous socio-economic problems. Development banks have invested heavily in this phase, but results are still uncertain.
- Tunisia is going through a phase of doubt and of reflection
- The search for economically viable production models. Tunisian officials are now thinking in terms of small family enterprises. Therefore, a profitable market has to be assured as well as an improved and coherent infrastructure for inputs and outputs and institutional back-up.
- The search for a stable and profitable market. Tunisian promotors hope that the E.E.C. will make up the commercial base of their aquaculture activities. This production may be seen as an element of North/South interdependence.
The country is surrounded by three seas : the Black Sea in the North, the Aegean Sea in the West and the Mediterranean Sea in the South, joined together by the Bosphorus and the Canakkale Straits (Dardanelles). The Turkish coast-line is 8.333 kms long, and there are 175,715 kms of river ; natural lakes and lagoons cover a total area of 906,118 ha, respectively. This suggests considerable potential for aquaculture.
Sea fisheries production, which is mainly coastal in character, increased from 161,000 tonnes in 1974 to 520,000 tonnes in 1983, while inland fisheries increased from 13,926 to 38,695 tonnes during the same period. In 1980, 83% of sea-fisheries production was from the Black Sea, 9.4% from the Marmara Sea, 4.3% from the Aegean and 3.3% from the Mediterranean : The catch included a wide variety of species of economic value.
Besides the country's favourable geographical position and climate, and relatively low pollution levels, a number of measures taken by the Government account for the steady increase in production since the 1970's. Sectoral planning began with the setting up of a general Directorate of Fisheries in 1971, and special attention has been paid to coordination between fishermen or fishmongers, and between scientific and governmental bodies. Every effort has been made to solve fishermen's specific problems.
6.1 NATIONAL CONSUMPTION AND MARKETING
A large proportion of the total production of 557, 288 tonnes is transported to the major towns, and there is a marked preference for fresh fish on the domestic market (70.7 %). 20.6 % of fish production is converted into fishmeal and oil, 3.9 % is salted, dried or smoked; 4.4 % is frozen and chilled, and about 1 % is canned.
The conference's attention was drawn to the fact that prices of fish caught in Turkish waters are often half those in the rest of Europe : Bass, US $ 5 per kilo; sea-bream, US $ 7/kg; grey mullet, US $ 3/kg; eel, US $ 2/kg; trout, US $ 2/kg; carp, US $ 1/kg; shrimp, US $ 7/kg; fresh-water crayfish, US $ 6/Kg. It was felt that the reasons for these low price levels should be studied.
Despite increased production, marketing has always been a problem in the fisheries sector in Turkey, and solutions will only be found through better coordination between the deep-freeze chain and market structures.
Exports
| Year | Quantity (tonnes) | Value (Turkish pounds) |
| 1980 | 7 500 | 1 882 845 |
| 1981 | 12 208 | 3 054 674 |
| 1982 | 11 005 | 4 013 238 |
| (= US $ 25 m) |
Turkey is an exporter of traditional products, particularly to Greece and Italy. Most of the crustacean catch (made up essentially of fresh water crayfish) is exported, so this should be taken into consideration for the improvement in the organization of production. Eel and carp are also among exported species, and it is expected that exports will continue to grow with increased total production, especially of species such as bonito, mackerel and sea-bream. During the last years, ray and shark have been added to exported species, sometimes in production, especially of species such as bonito, mackerel and sea-bream. During the last years, ray and shark have been added to exported species, sometimes in processed form.
6.2. FISHERIES INFRASTRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
The number of fishermen's cooperatives increased from 276 in 1980, to 340 in 1984, and there were 6 cooperative associations. 14, 750 fishermen are registered members. It was pointed out that fisheries and agricultural cooperatives are often integrated, according to a long-standing system.
The Agricultural Bank has lent 5 billion Turkish pounds to Fishermen, and industrialists, credit institutions and Government bodies have cooperated for the supply of fishing gear.
In 1984, cooperative members imported 54 diesel engines, 46 echo-sounders, and 11 trans-receivers duty-free, as well as 3,150,000 Fingerlings. 2 yarn and 5 net factories are in active production and, in 1984, only anchovy, sardine and shrimp nets were imported. These are also 18 fish-meal and fish-oil production plants and 191 cold storage units (with a total capacity of 2,500 tonnes a day).
6.3 RECOMMANDATIONS FOR THE SOLUTION OF FISHERIES PROBLEMS
- Collection of statistical data on captured species, stock assessment of these species, identification of species of high economic value, stock improvement.
- Definition of criteria for stock control.
- Definition of criteria for selection of fishing gear and equipment.
- Definition of criteria for granting credit to the fisheries sector and for conducting economic appraisals.
- Improved coordination between the deep-freeze chain and marketing of fisheries products.
- Proposal of incentives for the export of fisheries products.
- Monitoring and control of cooperatives working methods.
- Determination and implementation of measures to improve fishermen's living and working conditions beyond their own demands, so as to establish harmonious interaction between fishermen, cooperatives, government officials and scientists.
- Finding solutions to the problems of fishermen's social security.
- Education of fishermen's families.
- Purchase of transreceivers and other electronic equipment for fishing vessels.
- Training in navigation and improved seamanship for crews of vessels exceedeing 100 gross tonnes.
- Definition of incentives to encourage fishermen to use diesel oil.
- Avoidance of sand extraction from fishing grounds.
- Implementation of measures to ensure that fishermen abide by all fishing restrictions.
- Ensuring that fishermen use cold storage facilities during holidays especially during the fishing season.
7.1 GENERAL BACKGROUND
- Physical background : There are many favourable sites for mariculture on the Yougoslavian coast, especially, due to the presence of many closed bays, a network of canals and river estuaries. These coastal waters have the usual fish populations and there are natural banks of shellfish such as mussels, date shells and flat oysters.
- Historical context
• Traditional mariculture : There is a firmly rooted tradition of mariculture in Yougoslavia, oyster and mussel seed collection with traditional techniques which were developed in particular between the wars, from the fifties onwards more elaborate techniques evolved. Also, fishermen have long practised fish culture by capturing fingerlings in closed bays in a view of allowing them to grow up to market size.
• These activities were slowed down during the sixties due to the accelerated development of tourism and the priority given to other coastal activities.
7.2 PRESENT SITUATION
- A recent planning of a decisive kind
• The plan set out in 1970 mark the real beginnings of mariculture. This plan is based on research and experimentation and on revitalization of abandoned traditional areas.
• Development options : These depend on the cooperation between scientists and producers within cooperative agriculture systems. In shellfish farming, the use of new material is sought and envisaged. Intensive culture of bass and sea-bream is being undertaken. Cage or brackish water salmon culture is also encouraged.
- Production results
About 10 production centers are already operational and developing as a result of considerable investment since the beginning of the 1980's.
• Variety of sites : Aquaculture production can be found all along the coast; ISTRA : 4 sites are being exploited by the 2 private companies; In Dalmatia : 3 sites are being exploited by 4 private companies ; In Montenegro, there is one site.
• Production variety : 500 to 2,000 tonnes per year of mussels, 2,000,000 of oysters; fish : bass, sea-bream, eel, salmonidae (250 tonnes per year). Production methods are also very varied : tidal bed culture, exploitation of natural beds, traditional capture fisheries, intensive aquaculture in tanks, cage, and pens.
7.3. THE FUTURE OF YOUGOSLAVIAN AQUACULTURE
- Officials have expressed anxiety about the weakness in the market which has already reached saturation point for mussels. Moreover, inadequate quality control facilities, the lack of quality feed and the persistance of polluted areas are important limiting factors.
- The aquaculture sector will therefore need considerable investment in terms of research, site planning and protection, establishment of infrastructures in the field and product promotion, in order to progress beyond its present semi-operational phase.
8. AQUACULTURE PROSPECTS IN EGYPT, SYRIA AND MALTA (as described by P. FERLIN)
The search for a domestic market. Despite the absence of representatives for these countries, the Egyptian experience is important for other Mediterranean countries. It is currently a country that benefits from its vast experience in slightly brackish water fish culture and is mainly a producer for the domestic market, grey mullet and some tilapia.
One of the projects within MEDRAP. In Syria, marine aquaculture has not yet reached a production stage, but a project carried out by MEDRAP is in the process of being implemented. However, Syria has good potential as, like Algeria, there are considerable freshwater resources which are in the initial stages of exploitation. Present production reaches almost 5,000 tonnes of freshwater fish while sea fisheries produce less than 1,000 tonnes (around 800 – 900 tonnes).
There is no aquaculture activity. Malta, for the time begin, has no aquaculture production, and no programmes or projects have yet been set up.
