Aquaculture Greece

Development

The big development in this domain started in 1985 when Greece introduced and promoted fish farming, relying on a series of factors like national and regional political incentives, the predominate ideal geological, climatic and hydro biological conditions for aquaculture development, an intense investment interest, the continuous need for fresh products in the market and the increasing know-how regarding the fish life cycle but also the harvesting and cultural methods.

Field Growth

The field of aquaculture after 25 years of a steady upwards course, showed impressive results not only with a competitive fish price in the industry of fresh products but also with the creation of a complete social and economic structure. Today in the aqua cultural field more than 9500 people are employed permanently as well as seasonal and another 10000 in small and big industries, services, support etc.

Moreover, aquaculture is the only activity developed in smaller, border or uninhabited regions for which there is no other investment interest thus contributing to the economic growth and revitalizing of the Greek countryside. Such distinct examples of farms are those located near the Greek borders such us Thesprotia and on barren islands and uninhabited islets.

The business operations that were developed brought significant investments, both in fixed assets as well as in technology and expertise and significantly improved the economics of the fisheries sector through exports. More than 80% of the Greek aqua-cultured products are distributed to EU countries and beyond.

According to data received by the Ministry of Agriculture regarding Greece in early 2007 throughout the Greek territory , more than 314 farms were operating and 40 hatcheries controlled by 125 companies-groups. The total annual production of end products in recent years is estimated that reaches and exceeds 100.000 tons and respectively the total spawn production of Greek hatcheries is estimated to range to 400-420 million annually.

314

farms in Greece

hatcheries

125

companies-groups

100

tons/year annual production

In Greece and generally in the Mediterranean, sea breams, sea basses and Diplodus puntazzo (commonly called Mytakia ) are cultivated massively.

Those 3 species account for 98% of the total annual aqua-cultured farm fish and are usually sold in 300-400 g size but can also be found in larger sizes (600-700 g up to 1 kilogram).

Also grown but at a much smaller scale, snappers and white sea bream and even, in some regions of Greece, mullets. These are the remaining 2% of the total annual production, sold in smaller sizes, usually 250-350 g.

In addition to the above, experimental, and in negligible quantities, are produced pagruses, dentexes, murmurs, saddled bream etc.

Nowadays, the fish of Greek aquaculture is one of the four main exported agricultural products of the country (along with olive oil, tobacco and cotton), while in the last four years (except in 2005) it consistently occupies the first place in total Greek exports of agricultural products.

ABOUT AQUACULTURE

Development

Field Growth

Those 3 species account for 98% of the total annual aqua-cultured farm fish and are usually sold in 300-400 g size but can also be found in larger sizes (600-700 g up to 1 kilogram).

In addition to the above, experimental, and in negligible quantities, are produced pagruses, dentexes, murmurs, saddled bream etc.

Nowadays, the fish of Greek aquaculture is one of the four main exported agricultural products of the country (along with olive oil, tobacco and cotton), while in the last four years (except in 2005) it consistently occupies the first place in total Greek exports of agricultural products.