Aquaculture: Lack of spatial planning puts brake on growth

A top priority for the aquaculture sector is the completion of spatial planning with emphasis on the establishment of Organized Aquaculture Development Areas (POAs). “It will strengthen the competitiveness of existing companies, contributing to their further sustainable development while also attracting new investments,” said the president of the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (ELOPY), which represents more than 80% of Greek domestic production. He added: “The industry currently produces 90% of the maximum licensed capacity of the country and under the current conditions no effective development strategy can be implemented. Delaying the establishment of POAs can not achieve the development goal set in the Multiannual National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture, while at the corporate level, companies in the sector can not proceed with investments, relocations and in general its remodeling.”

Following successive extensions, only 4 of the 23 fish farms envisaged have been established, although European legislation requires the designation of marine zones for aquaculture. The lack of updated spatial planning remains the biggest “thorn” for years. However, a few days ago the Energy and Environment Ministry approved the technical specifications and the terms of the tender for the elaboration of a study for the “Evaluation and revision of the Special Spatial Framework for Aquaculture” as the five-year period provided by the legislation for the was approved in 2011.

It is no coincidence that the issue of spatial planning is expected to be analyzed in detail at the 2nd sectoral conference organized on April 15 and 16 at the Athens Concert Hall by AMBIO consultancy agency, with the support of ELOPY and the Ministry of Rural Development – with the participation of scientists, institutions and representatives of producers and suppliers of the aquaculture industry from about 15 countries _ with honored country is Saudi Arabia.

In addition, the prospects and trends for sustainable and competitive fish farming will be discussed. The industry was tested during the pandemic, while it is facing new challenges due to the energy crisis, but also due to… the effects of the war in Ukraine. The increase in production costs in aquaculture now reaches 25% with the cost of fish feed having exceeded 40%.

sector In any case, the performance of the industry is satisfactory. In 2020, 79% of production was exported to 40 countries, with the remaining 21% being sold domestically. As for 2021, sales increased, as did exports (9% in volume and value) which amounted to 100,300 tons, worth 499 million euros. But consumption also seems to be returning, and in some countries exceeding, pre-COVID levels. Besides, it remains the first sector of the country in exports of animal products and second in agricultural exports after olive oil.