1. INTRODUCTION
Compared to other North Africa countries, Tunisia has reached a significant level of fish consumption. The only relevant historical dimension of aquaculture in Tunisia are the traditional lagoon management (80 000 ha of lagoon and coastal lakes) and culture of shellfish.
Semi-intensive and intensive culture are relatively new concepts in Tunisia and only recently also the public sector is involved.
2. CURRENT STATUS OF AQUACULTURE
2.1 Sea bass/sea bream and mullet culture
Sea bass and sea bream culture is carried out both in public and private farms.
Ghar el Melh hatchery
This hatchery was built in 1973 by a private company and bought by INSTOP (Institut national scientifique et technique d'oceanographie et pêche) in 1977 (ADCP 1983). It is a polyspecific hatchery working, on an experimental level, on sea bass, sea bream, sole shrimp reproduction. It has a prefattening sector (up to 2 gr) and no intensive units for fattening.
Its production was 39 000 sea bass fingerlings in 1985.
Lake of Bizerta - ONP station (Office National de Pêche).
In 1985, four provisional cages were installed, utilizing shelll fish rearing structures, in the lake of Bizerta for sea bass and sea bream rearing.
This project was started to test the potentiality of sea bass/sea bream rearing in the lake of BIzerta. MEDRAP provided the Centre with floating cages (Yugoslavian) which are to be installed.
Centre National d'Aquaculture of Monastir (CNA)
The Centre is located on the Kuiss lagoon, near Monastir. It includes extensive (lagoon), semi-intensive (ponds) and intensive (raceways and cages) rearing structures. The construction of thehatchery (500 000 fingerling capacity) finished in December 1986 and the first cycle of production of sea bass started in January 1987.
Before fingerlings were provided by the Ghar el Mehl hatchery or will be collected in the sea.
The principal aims of the Centre are: applied research on aquaculture (artificial reproduction - rearing techniques, feeding, etc.) and training activities.
The species reared are: sea bass, sea bream, millets, shrimp (P. japonicus and P. kerathurus), oyster.
El Akharit station
INSTOP is also conducting research in four eastern ponds at El Akharit, near Gabes. The ponds (80 × 80 m) are supplied with water at temperature of 27°C and salinity of 8–11 ppt from an artesian well which cannot be utilized for agricultural purposes.
Several trials on mullet rearing have been carried out in the past. Actually, the station is underexploit4ed and rearing structures need to be improved.
Aquaculture Sud-Tunisienne (Bougrara)
It is a private farm for the intensive production of sea bass, sea bream and shrimp. It includes a hatchery (3 000 000 fingerlings capacity), a prefattening units/raceways) and a fattening unit (floating cages). Total production capacity is 400 t of fish for export (MEDRAP - FD/85/07).
Other projects, in construction, are:
Ferme Aquacole d'Adjion (Djerba)
Integrated production of sea bass, sea bream and millet in semi-intensive ponds.
Scheduled production: 94 t (MEDRAP - FD/85/07)
Project LABRAX (Zarsis)
Intensive sea bass production (hatchery and raceways) Scheduled production: 120 t (MEDRAP - FD/85/07)
In 1985 the study (prefeasibility and preparatory project) was accomplished on a station for the integrated production in mono and policulture of sea bass, sea bream and mullet, near the Medjerda mouth (the only Tunisian river). It includes intensive, semi-intensive and extensive basins for a scheduled production of 340 t.
2.2 Shellfish production
Lake of Bizerta (ONP)
Production of oysters (Cr. gigas) and mussels (M. galloprovincialis).
Actually about 15 fixed structures (800 m2 each) are operating.
Usually, oyster spat is imported while mussel seed is naturally present in the lake.
Estimated production is: 30 t of oysters and 100 t of mussels (FD/85/07).
Lagoon of Monastir (CNA)
Trials are carried out on C. gigas on an experimental level.
2.3 Freshwater culture
Several restocking of internal lakes have been carried out in the past. Recently, INSTOP in collaboration with MEDRAP has started a programme of restocking a dam (Bir Mgerga) with mullets (FD/86/05). Another project concerning the utilization of underground warm water sources in the South of Tunisia has been proposed by MEDRAp in 1987.
The project foresaw an integrated programme: agriculture, aquaculture, utilizing the outlet water of greenhouse culture for tilapia rearing (MEDRAP TR/87/08, TR/87/11).
3. PROGRAMME
The sixth five-year development plan (1982–86) ascribes an important role to the fishing industry. It foresees a total investment of over TD 124 million (US$207 million) which will represent more than 8% of the investment in agriculture (FID/CP/TUN/Rev. 3).
The objective is the improvement of fishing production to meet the increasing demand for sea products.
The investment is divided into harbour infrastructures (construction of new ports, improvement of harbour installation etc.), research activities, training activities, transfer of technology, new fishing vessels.
4. PRODUCTION
Total production of sea bass from all sources in 1986 was estimated to be 370 t. 300 t came from coastal and other fisheries, 40 t from lagoon fisheries and 30 t from aquaculture (ADCP/REP/87/29).
The total production of sea bream was also 370 t. Of this, 20 came from aquaculture, 50 t from lagoon fisheries and 300 t from coastal and other fisheries (ADCP/REP/87/29).
No eels were produced by intensive aquaculture but 70 t out of a total of 120 t came from lagoon (ADCP/REP/87/29).
Shellfish production is 150 t/year. (Less than 140 t of mussels and less than 15 t of oysters) (MEDRAP - TD/86/06).
5. MARKETING
Total exports in 1986 were 60 t each of seabass and sea bream and 110 t of eels, No mullets were exported (ADCP/REP/87/29).
About 9 000 t of molluscs are exported, mainly octopus, shrimps and cuttlefish (FAO Yearbook of fishery statistics, 1985).
About 75 % of the total fish production of 75 000 t is consumed fresh. After deduction of exports and addition of tuna imports for canning, 67 900 of fish and fishery products are available to the Tunisian consumer (Tunisia, Fishery Sector Country Profile).
Average per caput consumption reached 9.75 kg in 1984 compared to 8.7 kg in 1982. A per caput consumption of 10 kg per year is aimed at in 1986 (Tunisia, Fishery Sector Profile). Yet the regional distribution of fish consumption is very unbalanced. Per caput consumption reaches about 20 kg in coastal areas, whereas rural districts in the interior of the country remain largely undersupplied.
In 1983, the "Société pour la Distribution des Production de la Mer” (SDPM) was founded in order to increase fish supply in the interior of the country.
More than 10 000 t (18.6 % of total fresh fish production) was absorbed solely by the Tunis wholesale market. Other important markers are Sfax and Bizerta.
The canning industry absorbed 9 300 t of fish; canning and fish meal plants are concentrated in Mahdia and Sidi Daoud. The main species utilized for canning are sardine, sardinella and tuna. Only minor quantities of anchovy and mackerel are canned. Offal from canning factories is utilized for the production of about 1 300 t of fish meal (Tunisia, Fishery Sector Country Profile). Only a negligible quantity of canned fish is exported (100 t/year).
6. TRAINING AND RESEARCH
Tunisia has an ambitious programme of fisheries training. Fishery education is the responsibility of the Commisariat Général aux Pêches.
Training is provided in Fishery schools and professional training centres, presently there are three schools and 8 professional training centres (Tunisia, Fishery sector Country Profile). The fishery schools in Monastir also provide aquaculture courses.
Advanced training in Fisheries is also available from the National Institute of Agronomy (INAT).
The fishery research is the responsibility of the Institut National Scientifique et Technique d'Océanographie et Pêche (INSTOP). It has laboratories at Salambo, La Goulette, Sfax and Ghar el Mehl. It is active in many different fields Including biological studies of marine environment, stock assessment, aquaculture and fishing technology. Research in Marine biology is also undertaken at the University of Tunis, the National Agronomic Institute of Tunis (INAT) and the National Scientific Institute of Tunisia.
Applied research is carried out at the Centre National d'Aquaculture (CNA) in Monastir.
7. INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT
The fishery sector is administered by CGP (Commissariat Général à la Pêche). This body is responsible for the administration of all activities related to the fishery sector. The specialized departments of the CGP collected statistical information, carry out surveys and prepare analyses and policy recommendations. CGP is also responsible for fishery schools, legislation, export permits, fishing permits, etc.
The office National des Pêches (ONP), was established as a semi-governmental body to develop the lagoon fisheries, the tuna fishery and the fishing fleet. ONP is also responsible for marketing fish, establishing cold stores, operating shipyards and processing fish.
REFERENCES
ADCP/MR/83/21: Etude du potentiel aquacole et propositions pour une politique de développement de l'aquaculture en Tunisie
MEDRAP - FD/85/07: Revue de projets d'aquaculture en Tunisie, octobre 1985.
MEDRAP - FD/86/05: Développement de l'aquaculture en Tunisie, à pettite et moyenne échelle. Juin 1986.
MEDRAP - TR/87/08: Utilisation des eaux souterraines par le développement de l'aquaculture intégré à la serriculture, avril 1987
MEDRAP/87/11: Utilisation des eaux souterraines pour le développement de l'aquaculture rurale dans le sud tunisien. Juillet 1987
FID/CP/TUN/Rev. 3. Fishery Country Profile. Tunisia, October 1985
ACDP/REP/87/29. The markets for the prime Mediterranean species - sea bass, sea bream, mullets and eels and their links with investment.
MEDRAP - TD/86/06. Seminar. Socio-economic aspects of Aquaculture Development in the Mediterranean countries. Djerba (Tunisia), November 1985
TUNISIA - Fishery Sector Country Profile. Tunisian German (GT2) Fisheries Project. July 1985.
FAO. YEarbook of fishery Statistics, vol. 60–61. 1985
OTHER MEDRAP REPORTS
FD/84/03 - Ecloserie de Ghar el Mehl: Propositions d'aménagement. Juillet 1984
Contents: Brief description of the different sectors of the hatchery (status and problems). Recommendation.
FD/84/04. Diagnostic d'une mortalité de loup sur un grossissement expérimentale en cage à Monastir. janvier 1984.
Contents: Diagnosis of a sea bass mortality at CNA of Monastir.
FD/84/05. Structure à mettre en place pour l'alimentation de poisson au CNA de Monastir. Juin 1984.
Contents: Description of the equipment required to prepare dry, semi-moist and moist food for fish.
TR/85/01. Rapport sur les problèmes d'alimentation de poisson au CNA de Monastir. Mars 1985.
Contents: Description of the sector “feed and nutrition” at the CNA of Monastir. Recommendations.
TR/85/05. Rapport sur une mortalité de mulet à Monastir. mai 1985.
Contents: Description of mullet mortality at CNA of Monastir.
FD/85/02. Fabrication d'aliment pour poisson au CNA de Monastir. Juin 1985.
Contents: Considerations on the feeding's sector at the CNA of Monastir. Analysis of the raw materials.
TR/85/09. Gestion des alevins de loup provenant de la station expérimentale de Ghar el Mehl. juillet 1985.
Contents: Diagnosis of a sea bass mortality at CNA of Monastir.
TD/85/07. Ferme d'Aquaculture intégrée. Embouchure de la Medjerda. Etude de faisabilité et avant-projet. juillet 1985.
Contents: study for an integrated aquaculture station at Medjerda mouth. Provisional project.
FD/85/05. Ecloserie de Ghar el Mehl. Saison productive 1984–85. Proposition d'aménagement. Août 1985.
Contents: Analysis and recommendations on the productive structures of the Ghar el Mehl hatchery. Propositions for a work plan.
TR/85/10. Problème sanitaire d'un lot de loups. Septembre 1985.
Contents: Sanitary problems of a sea bass stock at the CNA of Monastir.
TR/85/11. Transport de crevettes au CNA de Monastir. Decembre 1985.
Contents: Shrimp transport from the Ghar el Mehl hatchery to the CNA of Monastir.
FD/86/02. Diagnose écologique et zonation biologique du lac de Bizerte. Applications aquacoles. Rapport intermédiaire. Janvier 1986.
Contents: Hydrobiological study of Lake of Bizerta.
TR/86/01. Rapport de mission en Tunisie et à Policoro. Décembre 1985.
Contents: Shrimp rearing at the Ghar el Mehl hatchery.
TR/86/02. Protocole d'expérimentation (CNA de Monastir). Février 1986.
Contents: Proposition for a feeding trial at the CNA of Monastir.
TR/86/18. Le fonctionnement des installations d'élevage au CNA de Monastir. Avril 1986.
Contents: Present situation of the rearing units in the CNA of Monastir.
TR/86/10. Rapport de mission en Tunisie. Juillet 1986.
Contents: Work plan and technical advice on shrimp culture in Tunisia.
TR/86/15: L'élevage en intensif, situation actuelle. Possibilité d'amélioration, production (CNA de Monastir). Septembre 1986.
Contents: The intensive rearing unit in the CNA of Monastir. Present situation.
TR/86/20: L'élevage en semi-intensif et en extensif au CNA de Monastir. Septembre 1986.
Contents: The semi-intensive and extensive rearing units in the CNA of Monastir. Present situation.
TR/86/13: Rapport de mission en Tunisie. Crevettes. Septembre 1986.
Contents: Work plan and technical advice on the shrimp culture at the Ghar el Mehl hatchery and at the CNA of Monastir.
FD/86/06. Evaluation des potentialit1és aquacole du lac de Bizerte. Septembre 1986.
Contents: Hydrobiological study of the lake of Bizerta. Possibility for aquaculture exploitations.
TR/86/16. Ecloserie de Ghar el Mehl. Propositions pour la saison 1986–87. Novembre 1986.
Contents: Analysis of the productive structures of the Ghar el Mehl hatchery. Work plan for 1986–87 season.
TR/86/19. Lac de Bizerte. Elevage en cages. Decembre 1986.
Contents: Recommendation on the experimental cage rearing unit in the lake of Bizerte.
TR/87/01. La pêche aux prédators dans la lagune de Monastir. Mars 1987.
Contents: Fishing trials of predator fish in the Lagoon of Monastir.
TR/87/04. Conchyliculture dans les lagunes de Bizerte, Ishkeul et Monastir (Tunisie) Mars 1987.
Contents: Shellfish culture in Tunisian lagoons.
TR/87/07. Aménagement expérimental de la communication entre la lagune de Hergla et la mer en vue de la récolte d'alevins. Mars 1987.
Contents: Construction of a provisional fish trap to improve fry collection along the communication between the sea and the lagoon of Hergla.
TR/87/08. Utilization des eaux souterraines pour le developpement de l'aquaculture integrée ä la serriculture. Mars 1987.
Contents: Review of the agricultural green house installations in the South Tunisia for the development of an integrated programme: aquaculture - agriculture.
TR/87/11. Utilization des eaux souterraines pour le developpement de l'aquaculture rurale dans le sud tunisienne. juillet 1987.
Contents: Proposition for a pilot project utilizing underground warm water sources in the south of Tunisia.
