November 18, 2010

Portugal's aquaculture production could triple within five years

Portugal's national fish production from aquaculture is projected to triple by 2015, increasing from 7,000 tonnes to 21,000 tonnes, according Portugal's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Antonio Serrano.

The minister admitted that the economic crisis could undermine the fast growth seen in the sector. Serrano visited an area between Armona and Fuseta, close to Olhão, where there are numerous operations of offshore aquaculture.

In this region, samples of corvina were introduced first in the country. Some 750 corvina were placed in one of the offshore cages owned by the Research Institute of Fisheries and the Sea (Ipimar).

The area, about 20 square kilometers in size, has 60 lots for aquaculture production of fish and shellfish (mussels and oysters).

Pedro Pousão, from the National Institute of Biological Resources (INRB), indicated that within each lot, they can install between 8-12 cages, and produce about 1,800 tonnes of fish annually.

According to Serrano, aquaculture is a business opportunity with great interest to Portugal.

Serrano also said that a very substantial amount of financial volumes are available for those who want to operate in the sector, through the national government's Promar program.

In the country, sea bream and sea bass are the most used species for aquaculture production.