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CHALLENGES FACING MARINE AQUACULTURE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Marine aquaculture in the Mediterranean has shown a strong growth and became an important source of seafood, creating new jobs and at the same time also contributing to reverse the negative trade balance of fish. Growing demand for aquatic products comes with increasing concern for the reliable supply of fishmeal as a protein source to support this growth. Replacements with ingredients from plant origin has increased the potential for mycotoxin poisons. Conflict with other users such as coastal zone fisheries, tourism, transport and navigation, pharmaceuticals and organic loading that influence water and sediment quality, loss of biodiversity and aesthetic value, all has created a negative image of aquaculture sector and consequently impacted marketing of the products. The lack of accurate spatial planning and complicated administrative procedures are constraining aquaculture development in many developed countries. On the other side lack of financing, governance, and access to good quality fish eggs, fry, and feeds has restricted aquaculture in some developing countries. Vision for 2030 have projected to continue developing and diversifying high quality production in parallel to the decline of wild stocks and the increasing demand for fish products for human consumption. If aquaculture tend to meet its goals it must improve production models and environmental performances. New sites, new market niches, and more advanced nutritional strategy are all the challenges in the coming years. There is a huge potential in new biotechnology to tackle major problems if the industry aiming to become economically sustainable and environmentally- friendly. An understanding of processes and responsible management are key issue for success. Selective breeding and genetics, quality seed, fish health, advanced nutrition, they are all guided by the biological principles that have to be understood and applied. More efforts and resources should be directed towards a positive recognition around aquaculture. Obviously, aquaculturist need to envisaged market before producing fish if a profitability of investment will be secured. Procedures and standards should be proposed and applied everywhere as the essential tools for policy makers, administrators, aquaculture producers, and other stakeholders. These standards can be used both, to increase consumer confidence and to protect the investment into a technologically advanced aquaculture system.

Mediterranean, marine aquaculture, sustainable growth, constraints, challenges

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