3.6.1 North Africa

Total production from aquaculture in North African countries in 1995 amounted to 65,000 mt worth US$124 million, up 5,200 mt (9%) and US$1.6 million (1.5%) over 1994. Output from the area accounted for 61% of total aquaculture production from Africa, as in 1994. In terms of contribution to local food fish production in the area, aquaculture provided only a modest 5%, but a substantial 20% in Egypt, the main producer and most populous country.

Figure 3.6.1.1.
During 1984-1995, aquaculture production increased at an APR of 8.2, compared to 5.2 for capture fisheries, from 28,000 mt to 65,000 mt, while value increased at an APR of about 21 (Figure 3.6.1.1). The sector’s contribution to food fish production in the area fluctuated between 3.5% and 6.2% during the period. All five countries of the area reported production from aquaculture, but the sector is in the preliminary development stage in Algeria and Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, with production of 369 and 100 mt, respectively, in 1995. Egypt, the only country with a long historic tradition of aquaculture in the area, has always been the predominant producer.

Figure 3.6.1.3.
Finfish were the main product throughout 1984-95, contributing about 99% of quantity and value in 1995; with most production from freshwater (98%), due to the dominance of Egypt. In Morocco, however, marine finfish (seabass and seabream) contributed 55% of total aquaculture production, compared to 37% from freshwater finfish (carps, trout and eels). The same is true of Tunisia, where marine and freshwater finfish contributed 54% and 34%, respectively. Accordingly, and in contrast to the situation in Egypt, aquaculture in Tunisia and Morocco is concentrated in the coastal zone. A small number of species, all finfish, accounted for 97% of total production quantity and value: common carp, Nile tilapia, mullets mainly Mugil capito, M. ramada and M. cephalus), catfish (Clarias anguillaris), Mediterranean gilthead seabream and seabass. The contribution of the main cultured species to production in 1995 is shown in Figure 3.6.1.3

Figure 3.6.1.4a.
In 1995, common carp, Nile tilapia and mullets were dominant in Egypt, in that order. In Morocco, the main species were seabass, seabream, silver carp and Mediterranean mussel. Although carp production in the area reached 1,200 mt (5.3%), production was still 32% below that in 1992 (Figure 3.6.1.4a). Morocco reported carp production (mostly silver and grass carps) for the first time in 1995, mainly from reservoirs and irrigation canals where these fish are used for control of algae and aquatic weeds. Production of Nile tilapia in Egypt has been static and is yet to exceed 1985 levels due to shortage of seed supplies. Production of mullets, which are in demand in most countries in the area, contributed 22.5% of 1995 production and has shown an APR of 23 since 1985.

Figure 3.6.1.4b.

The products of aquaculture are marketed locally in Egypt, with the exception of bass and bream, which are exported to Europe. This is in contrast to the situation in Morocco and Tunisia, where production is mainly for export and for resident foreign communities and tourists; only about 30% of production is marketed locally.

Development issues differ between Egypt on the one hand and Morocco and Tunisia on the other, due to differences in the history and nature of the sector, its products and its markets, that are apparent from the above analysis. In Egypt, shortage of good freshwater and land pose serious problems for the expansion of production from freshwater pond aquaculture. Most fish farms currently rely on drainage water and a large part of this slightly brackish water may no longer be available due to plans for its reuse in irrigation. In addition, aquaculture development along coastal lakes is constrained by uncertainty regarding the future use of these water bodies. The problem is largely due to the lack of co-ordinated planning for the use and management of natural resources, which recognizes aquaculture as a legitimate resource user, and the lack of familiarity with aquaculture and opportunities for its integration in farming systems, by agencies controlling these resources. There are other constraints which hinder expansion: mainly (a) the shortage of seed supplies for Nile and blue tilapias, mullets and African catfish, all of which are in demand locally, and for seabass, seabream and shrimp for export-oriented coastal aquaculture; (b) the large gap between potential and actual production from existing farms due to inadequate extension services; and (c) inadequate information for development planning.

In Morocco and Tunisia, the sector is a fairly new and modest activity, and is hindered by constraints common to new economic endeavours; e.g. consideration of aquaculture as a high-risk venture by banks, due to the lack of investment information; lack of a facilitating development framework, with enabling legislation and incentives (Tunisia has recently developed a national aquaculture plan with assistance from FAO, while Morocco is in the process of elaborating a plan, also with FAO assistance); and shortage of expertise in certain fields. However, the more immediate challenge to increasing production of currently cultured species is market-related and stems from a serious erosion of profits from export of seabass and seabream to Europe due to the significant decline in market price of these species, and the need to meet the high quality standards set by the European Union, which is adding to production costs, as well as increasing investment costs.

There is potential for significantly increasing aquaculture production in Egypt, including a doubling of the national average production from existing farms, through sustainable intensification, and horizontal expansion into inland waters bodies and coastal areas. There is also considerable interest on the part of the private sector in aquaculture. The realization of this growth potential will depend on the resolution of both institutional and technical constraints mentioned earlier. This will involve: collaborative action among government agencies in the allocation of land and water resources and the planning of their effective multiple use, taking aquaculture into consideration; strengthening of extension services; strengthening of the information base for development planning, particularly the extent of land and water available for aquaculture, potential agriculture-aquaculture systems, potential systems and species for culture in cages and enclosures in inland water bodies, and the profitability of various production systems; and the elaboration of a national plan for aquaculture development in co-ordination with other agencies.

In Egypt, there is excellent demand in the local market for tilapia and mullets, and a growing interest in the production of catfish and Nile perch (Lates niloticus). Production of these species can be stimulated in the near term by resolving the shortage of seed supplies through technology transfer (tilapia and catfish), commercialization of preliminary technology for perch through pilot tests, and provision of incentives for hatchery development, including hatcheries for marine finfish and shrimp.

In Tunisia and Morocco, limitations to expansion of production of current export-oriented species will probably become more acute with time, due to lack of a comparative economic advantage over other producers in and outside Europe. Expansion of the local market for these products is unlikely due to the high production costs and market price. Diversification of high-value species in the mid term may provide temporary relief before running into the same market constraints. Tunisia is now attempting to balance an export-oriented development thrust with production of affordable fishes for the local market through controlled stocking of inland waters for licensed fishing or private lease.