The state of aquaculture, the estimated potential for expansion in the various countries and the estimated demand for the products are described in previous sections. This section will consider the Mission's assessment of requirements for achieving the expansion of aquaculture, summarized in Table 7.
The development of technology for production-scale culture of a number of species stands out as a major regional need. At the present time, profitability has been demonstrated only for valli culture of sea bass, sea bream, sole and mullet, pond culture of eels, and cultivation of oysters and mussels by traditional methods.
Valli culture, which is an improvement on the traditional lagoon culture fisheries, has been developed only in Italy, but could be applied in other countries.
Pond culture of sea bass, sea bream and mullet has been tried at the experimental level and a few commercial ventures have begun. However, it is too early to determine if these ventures will be economically successful. Experimental culture of sole in laboratory tanks and in ponds shows promise, but the feeding problems must be solved and culture methods must be tested at pilot and commercial scale before commercial culture can be recommended.
Pond culture of shrimp, using hatchery-produced seed, also has been tried experimentally and in one semi-commercial venture in France.
Even less is known about culture of fish in floating cages. Experiments with sea bass, sea bream and mullet have been conducted, but there is not enough experience yet to recommend commercial culture.
Controlled environment culture systems, which require a higher level of technology, have been tried experimentally for sea bass, sea bream and shrimp, with some initiatory commercial ventures. However, much more needs to be learned about the environmental requirements for each species, as well as the economic practicability of intensive culture systems before commercial application could be recommended.
It is clear that additional research, development and testing of culture systems at pilot and commercial scale, with economic analysis, will be needed to provide a sound scientific technical and economic basis for expanding aquaculture in the Mediterranean region. Such work can be effectively and more efficiently carried out through regional cooperation.
The expansion of aquaculture requires dependable sources of seed, either from natural reproduction or hatcheries. Seed oysters, mussels and eel are generally available from nature. Although the supply of wild mullet fry would permit a moderate expansion, it might not be adequate for a major increase in production of this species.
Table 7
REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPANSION OF AQUACULTURE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION
| Requirements | Cyprus | Egypt | France | Greece | Israel | Italy | Libya | Malta | Morocco | Spain | Tunisia | Turkey | Yugoslavia | Summary | ||
| High and Moderate | Low | |||||||||||||||
| CULTURE TECHNOLOGY | ||||||||||||||||
| Fish: | Hatchery | H | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | H | M | M | 13 | 0 |
| Valli | L | M | L | H | L | L | L | L | M | L | M | H | L | 5 | 8 | |
| Pond | H | L | M | H | M | M | M | H | L | L | H | M | M | 10 | 3 | |
| Cage | L | L | M | H | M | M | M | L | M | M | M | M | H | 10 | 3 | |
| Controlled environment | H | L | H | L | M | M | M | H | L | M | M | M | H | 9 | 4 | |
| Shrimp: | Hatchery | H | L | M | M | M | M | L | M | L | L | M | M | L | 8 | 5 |
| Pond | M | L | H | M | M | M | L | L | L | M | M | M | L | 8 | 5 | |
| Controlled environment | H | L | H | L | M | M | L | M | L | M | L | L | L | 6 | 7 | |
| Mollusc-improved systems | L | L | L | M | L | M | L | L | M | L | M | L | M | 5 | 8 | |
| SEED | ||||||||||||||||
| Fish | H | L | L | L | M | L | M | M | M | M | H | M | M | 9 | 4 | |
| Shrimp | M | L | L | M | M | L | L | M | L | L | M | M | L | 6 | 7 | |
| Oyster | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | M | L | L | 1 | 12 | |
| FEED | H | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | L | M | M | M | M | 12 | 1 | |
| MORTALITY CONTROL | ||||||||||||||||
| Fish | M | M | M | M | M | M | L | L | L | M | M | M | M | 10 | 3 | |
| Shrimp | L | L | H | M | L | L | L | L | L | M | M | M | L | 5 | 8 | |
| Molluscs | L | L | M | M | L | M | L | L | L | M | M | L | H | 6 | 7 | |
| ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | L | L | H | H | L | H | L | H | H | H | H | L | L | 7 | 6 | |
| PLANNING | H | H | L | H | L | L | H | H | H | L | H | H | H | 9 | 4 | |
| TRAINING | H | H | L | H | L | L | H | H | H | L | H | H | H | 9 | 4 | |
| CHANGES IN POLICY, LAWS OR OTHER INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS | M | M | L | H | L | M | L | L | L | L | L | M | M | 6 | 7 | |
| MAKE LAND AND WATER AVAILABLE FOR AQUACULTURE | M | M | L | L | M | M | M | M | M | M | L | L | L | 8 | 5 | |
| FINANCIAL OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO AQUACULTURISTS | M | M | L | H | M | M | H | H | M | M | M | H | H | 12 | 1 | |
Hatcheries are needed at the present time for sea bass, sea bream, sole, shrimp and in the near future for mullet. Hatcheries will be needed later for clams, oysters and mussels. However, hatchery technology, ready for commercial application, is available only for sea bass and oysters and even for these, commercial viability has not yet been demonstrated. Hatcheries for penaeid shrimp are economically successful in other parts of the world, but hatchery technology for P. kerathurus has not reached this stage of development. Major technical or economic problems have to be solved before hatcheries for sea bream, mullet, sole, mussels or clams will become economically successful. Research and development, as well as pilot and commercial-scale tests with economic evaluation, will be needed to bring this technology to the point that commercial hatcheries can be recommended.
The expansion of aquaculture in the Mediterranean region will require large quantities of suitable feed at acceptable prices. Since the nutritional requirements of most species considered for aquaculture are not well-known, additional research and testing of commercially available feeds or the development of new feeds will be needed. This is important on a regional basis as it could lead to reduced food costs by standardizing diets and perhaps by establishing joint purchasing or manufacturing arrangements.
The expansion of aquaculture, especially into high-density systems, is certain to increase problems of disease and mortality due to adverse environmental conditions. There is insufficient knowledge at present to determine the causes of mortality, to apply treatments, or better yet, to modify cultural practices to prevent losses from diseases, parasites and adverse environmental factors.
Additional research and development are needed to provide commercially applicable methods for control of mortality in aquaculture systems in the Mediterranean region.
Closely associated with mortality control is the need to maintain high water quality in areas important to aquaculture development. This is of recognized importance in the culture of molluscs, many of which are eaten raw, but also applies to the culture of fish and crustaceans since pollution by chemicals, pesticides and heavy metals may adversely affect these species or impair their marketability.
Aquaculture itself may have adverse effects on the environment so the design of projects should include consideration of effluent control. Waste water from ponds, tanks or raceways, may require treatment before release into coastal lagoons or bays. Furthermore, the number of floating cages placed in bays, estuaries, or lagoons may have to be controlled to prevent degradation of water quality.
The development of aquaculture on a regional basis requires long-range planning to ensure timely development of culture technology for various species. It is also important that planning for increased production considers the regional and domestic demand for the product.
National action plans would help implement regional development programmes by identifying actions that could be taken in each of the participating countries.
Aquaculture technology is in various stages of development in the region. Many of the techniques have been developed only recently and others are expected to be ready for commercial application within two to five years. The transfer of known technologies in the region would also require a large number of trained personnel, particularly those with practical experience in production work. Therefore, training at all levels will be required to achieve the projected expansion of aquaculture.
