The promotion of aquaculture and its prospects in Tunisia and throughout the world were the focus of a seminar held on Friday (Jun 4) in the governorate of Monastir.

Abdessalem Mansour, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, said that the production of aquaculture increased to 4,470 tonnes in 2009, divided between 1,125 tonnes from freshwater fish and 3,345 tonnes of sea fish, against a total production of 1,400 tonnes in 2000.

He recalled that the objectives include achieving an output of 12,500 tonnes in 2014 and 15,300 tonnes in 2016. He also stressed the necessity to enhance the local production through processing, packaging and creating a Tunisian label.

The minister also dealt with the important opportunities available in the sector, calling on universities graduates to create projects in this sector, including the freshwater culture that does not require heavy investments.

He also stressed the activities of a business incubator specialising in fisheries and aquaculture at the national institute of science and marine technologies in the governorate of Monastir.