June 12, 2008

Mozambique aims to develop aquaculture to replace imports

The Mozambique government is to increase aquaculture production in a bid to offset imports of 54,000 tonnes of fish each year, Chinese news agency Macauhub reported.

The Council of Ministers is to create the National Institute for Development of Aquaculture (Inaqua), which will be responsible for promotion, management and administration of aquaculture, according to government spokesman Luís Covane.

Mozambique has around 258,000 hectares for development of aquaculture in the interior, and 33,000 hectares of coastal area. The country has 2,700 kilometres of coastline.

The Mozambique Council of Ministers said it was unacceptable that Mozambique should continue to import fish in huge quantities and the deficit would need to be reduced.

Vietnam in 2008 sent experts to Mozambique to help the country develop its fledgling aquaculture industry. Representatives from both countries agreed to share information on aquaculture, seafood processing and technology transfer.