FI:DP/GRE/85/002
Technical Report

Cover
DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE AND INLAND AQUACULTURE
GREECE
DRAFT NATIONAL AQUACULTURE PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Report prepared for
the Government of Greece
by
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
acting as executing agency for
the United Nations Development Programme


The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations or the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

FAO. Development of Marine and Inland Aquaculture, Greece, Draft National Aquaculture Plan. Rome, 1988. 18 p. FI:DP/GRE/85/002, Technical Report.

ABSTRACT

The Government of Greece has recently recognized the possibility of maintaining, and perhaps increasing the level of fish production, and reducing reliance on imports, through the promotion of aquaculture. Project GRE/85/002 produced a series of sectorial studies reviewing the industry and, after extensive discussions with national authorities, prepared a draft National Aquaculture Plan, which is presented in this report.

This short narrative document gives a synoptic overview of the current situation in the country, analyses possible future developments, describes priorities for action and states the Government's intention to establish coordination mechanisms to promote aquaculture development. One of the functions of the draft National Aquaculture Plan is to serve as a basis for further discussions between government and private sector bodies and individuals: for this reason, the plan proposes a framework for coordinating public and private sector activities in aquaculture in Greece.

The Food and Agriculture Organization is greatly indebted to all those who assisted in the implementation of the project by providing information, advice and facilities.

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1988

Hyperlinks to non-FAO Internet sites do not imply any official endorsement of or responsibility for the opinions, ideas, data or products presented at these locations, or guarantee the validity of the information provided. The sole purpose of links to non-FAO sites is to indicate further information available on related topics.

This electronic document has been scanned using optical character recognition (OCR) software. FAO declines all responsibility for any discrepancies that may exist between the present document and its original printed version.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. WHAT AQUACULTURE IS

1.1 Definition
1.2 The main types of aquaculture
1.3 Environments and species suitable for aquaculture
1.4 The main benefits of aquaculture
1.5 The present situation of world aquaculture

2. AQUACULTURE IN GREECE

2.1 The present situation
2.2 Levels and value of production
2.3 Future potential
2.4 Action to overcome present problems and constraints

3. REASONS FOR A NATIONAL AQUACULTURE PLAN

4. A PLAN FOR COORDINATION

4.1 General
4.2 The National Aquaculture Coordination Committee

4.2.1 Powers
4.2.2 Functions
4.2.3 Membership
4.2.4 Observers
4.2.5 Future membership
4.2.6 Administration/Secretariat
4.2.7 Sources of advice
4.2.8 Informal cooperation

4.3 Creation of a Centre for Aquaculture Information

5. PRIORITIES FOR ACTION

5.1 Administration
5.2 Production
5.3 Marketing
5.4 Support services

6. SOURCES OF FURTHER ADVICE AND INFORMATION

6.1 Detailed studies
6.2 Aquaculture information

Appendix 1 PLANNED INVESTMENT AND PROJECTED LEVELS OF PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT IN AQUACULTURE IN GREECE

Appendix 2 A FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ACTIVITY IN AQUACULTURE IN GREECE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

  1. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic animals and plants. It implies some form of intervention to enhance natural production, and hence some form of ownership of the stock being cultivated. Production systems in aquaculture vary with the species cultivated and the aquatic environment within which cultivation takes place.

  2. Various benefits are derived from aquaculture, the principal ones being production of food for human consumption, the creation of commercial business opportunities and jobs, and an increase in exports or the substitution of imports of fish and fish products by local production.

  3. On a global level, aquaculture is based mainly on low-intensity production in freshwater and brackish water environments. The general demand for the industry's products is strong and is likely to remain so.

  4. In Greece, present production is based on extensive and intensive systems in freshwater and brackish water environments. Annual production amounts to approximately 7 000 t, for a value of Dr 2 700 million, and there is considerable potential for increase: the official target of 20 000 t by the year 2000 is attainable.

  5. For some species, the main barriers to increased production are in the field of marketing; for other species, there are technological problems.

Planning and coordinating for development

  1. A national plan for the development of marine and inland aquaculture in Greece is presented. The plan provides a formal structure for coordination and identifies some current weaknesses; it gives information and advice, and identifies priorities for action, both generally and in specific areas. The plan deals with both the public and private sectors, and their interrelationship.

  2. The Government will invest in the expansion of aquaculture, with the aim of achieving real social and economic advantages for the community.

  3. Cooperation in, and the coordination of, this development effort will require various organizations and individuals to play different roles. This national development plan accordingly proposes a framework for public and private sector activity.

  4. The national plan is based on a series of studies conducted during 1987 by UNDP/FAO, in collaboration with the national authorities and the private sector.

  5. These studies provide detailed advice and information on:

Actions required

  1. A permanent coordination committee with powers to promote aquaculture development in Greece will be appointed. The committee will include representatives of the ministries directly involved in aquaculture support, representatives of national banks, of professional services and of both cooperative and private producers.

  2. The work of the committee will be supported by an aquaculture information service capable of reaching all sectors of the industry and meeting their needs. Further information on aquaculture is available from various sources, and links with these will be established.

  3. In the development of marine aquaculture, priority will be given to the utilization of the existing natural resources of wild fry and juvenile fish. Marine hatcheries, to provide further support to these industries, will be developed gradually.

  4. Other important areas where action is needed include: