August 21, 2024

 

Notice for US$25.2 million to support aquaculture underway, says Portugal's agriculture minister

 

Portugal's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, announced on August 14 that a notice for €22.8 million (US$25.2 million) is underway under a March 2030 programme to support aquaculture and research in the sector.

 

"Obviously, we want to support the best projects and those that are also in line with our objectives: not only economic but also environmental," said Fernades at the end of a visit to the facilities of Flatlantic, a flatfish production unit.

 

Accompanied by the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar, the minister took the opportunity to highlight the role of Flatlantic – Seastainable Flatfish Village.

 

"We have an excellent example here, which contributes not only to wealth creation, but also to employment. We have more than 190 people working here, with master's degrees and doctorates, where there is also research and innovation", he said.

 

According to Fernandes, the unit also contributes to the objective of the European Union's own strategic autonomy, which, as a whole, "produces only 1% of the world's aquaculture".

 

"For every 3,000 tonnes we consume in the European Union, there are 2,000 that we import, so even in Portugal, we have a deficit of more than 200 tonnes per year in terms of the fishing sector…  As a country that has this (large) exclusive economic zone, this sea that has this capacity and (with) funds available for this objective: we must take advantage of these opportunities", he said.

 

According to Fernandes, aquaculture "is much more than fish".

 

"It is territorial cohesion, research, innovation and industry, transformation, wealth creation and added value," he said. "And the proof is that we have a hatchery here, for example, which means that this company (Flatlantic) aims to be a world leader."

 

Taking the opportunity of the visit by the minister and secretary of state, Flatlantic  director Miguel Lucas confirmed the company's "growth ambition is to go from producing approximately 3,000 tonnes of turbot to 6,000 tonnes and 10,000 tonnes of sole".

 

"We're making major investments" that will see not only the expansion of flatfish production but increase the number of employees," he said. "We currently have 194 people working with us. When the expansion is realised, we should have more than 450".

 

Flatlantic's market is mainly the European Union countries, around 10 to 20% of its product for Portugal and the rest for exports.

The company has already invested €40 million (US$44.1 million) in its project. Another €20 million (US$22.1 million) is due to be invested  the next two years.

 

- LUSA/ Agroportal