FRESH WATER FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES

Laszlo VARADI and Zsigmond JENEY

1. INTRODUCTION

The Mediterranean is quite heterogenous region both from geographical and economical point view. However two major sub-regions can be distinguished namely the northern Mediterranean countries extending from Portugal to Greece and including Malta and CYprus,and the southern Mediterranean countries extending from Morocco to Egypt, including Lebanon, Syria and turkey (Figure 1.). The situation of fisheries and aquaculture shows a great variability from country to country. In the northern Mediterranean there is a high level aquaculture production and development in most of the countries, while the level of fish production and development is rather low in the southern Mediterranean with few exceptions.

The Mediterranean region represents a total population of 364 million. The total consumption of the fishery products in the region is 5,140,000 tonnes and there is a net deficit of 1,234,000 tonnes (that is close to 3.4 kg per caput per year). The average per caput consumption of fish and fishery products in the region is 11.8 kg/year. (FAO. 1989). The fairly low consumption level and the relatively high import volumes indicate that there is a great potential for further development in marketing point of view. The better use of coastal lagoons offer possibilities for the development of fisheries and aquaculture, however recently the attention has turned towards the more extensive use of inland water bodies for culture-based fisheries and aquaculture.

The UNDP-funded second phase of the Mediterranean Regional Aquaculture Development Project (MEDRAP II.) realising the needs especially from developing countries in the southern Mediterranean, freshwater fisheries and aquaculture development has been incorporated in the project. The activities on this field are focused on the development of cheap protein supply for the population in the developing countries in the Mediterranean.

2. FRESHWATER FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN THE MEDTTERRANEAN

Although statisticaL data are not readily available and the existing data are not always reliable, production data clearly indicate that marine and coastal fisheries is the major supplier of fish and aquatic products in the Mediterranean. There are however several countries in this region where fresh-water fisheries and aquaculture plays an important role in the total fish production. The aquaculture production of fourteen MEDRAP countries are shows in Table 1.

Although production data of fisheries, culture-based fishery and aquaculture can not be clearly distinguished from each other, it can be seen from Table 1. That aquaculture has a basic importance in the use of freshwater resources. Freshwater aquaculture production however is concentrated in three countries (Egypt, EX-Yugoslaiva and Bulgaria). These three countries provides 92% of the fresh-water aquaculture production, and the share of Egypt is 50% from the total production. Based on statistical data from FAO, the freshwater fisheries and aquaculture production in MEDRAP countries are shown in Figure 2. Freshwater aquaculture is concentrated to a very limited number of species, mostly carps, tilapia and trout (Fuchs, 1991). Although there are significant differencs in geographical and other conditions among the MEDRAP countries, the results of freshwater aquaculture production in these three countries indicate the potential in the freshwater aquaculture development.

Table 1. Aquaculture production in MEDRAP countries (Source: J. Fuchs, 1991)

In the followings, the status of the freshwater fisheries and aquaculture production, the constraints and potentials will be summarised for ten MEDRAP countries, where freshwater fisheries and aquaculture play or can play a significant role in the food supply of the population, especially in the rural areas. The production data have been taken from FAO statistics, and unfortunately no up to data information are available, the status and trends in freshwater fisheries and aquaculture can be demonstrated well. Wherever it was possible, recent information are also provided that have been collected through personal communication.

2.1 Albania

Freshwater fish production comprises about 24% of the total fish production in the country (Annex 1.). Although capture fisheries is dominant in the use of inland water bodies, the aquaculture production is between 500–600 tonnes annually. The basic resources for capture fisheries are the Skodres and Ohrit lakes and the numerous small water reservoirs. The total area of fish ponds is about 200 hectares. Several small size fish hatcheries are working in different regions that have been built through Chinese expertise. Low value species like silver carp and bream are dominant in freshwater fish production, but common carp and trout are also produced. The recent political changes open up new opportunities in the development of freshwater fish production as well. The fish farms have been privatised and these farms are susceptible to improve the technology and apply new methods. There are however serious limitations in infrastructure and flow of information.

2.2 Algeria

Although the total fish production is around 100,000 tonnes annually, the share of freshwater fish production is negligible in Algeria (Annex 2.). Algeria ranks as the worlds 10th largest country, however almost ninety percent of the area is covered by the sandy wasteland of the Sahara Desert, thus freshwater resources are rather limited. There are however various small and large lakes and reservoirs in the inland areas that have been exploited yet for freshwater fish production. These water bodies offer good possibility for the development of freshwater fisheries and aquaculture Promising results have gained with grass carps that were stocked into reservoirs. Further limnologi cal and ecological studies are needed in order to select suitable sites for the expansion of freshwater fish production.

2.3. Bulgaria

Bulgaria is the third largest freshwater aquaculture producer among the MEDRAP countries. The aquaculture production was 10,159 tonnes in 1989 (Annex 3.). About 75% of the total freshwater fish production is common carp, that is produced in earthen ponds traditionally. Due to the recent political changes in the country, the fish production sector is in a transition period that goes temporary difficulties, however based on long tradition and valuable resources in freshwater fish production the recovery of this sector is expected soon and Bulgaria could be an participant in the freshwater aquaculture development in this region.

2.4 Cyprus

Freshwater aquaculture is quite limited but well organised in Cyprus. The most important freshwater species is rainbow trout (Annex. 4.). The trout production was 75 tons in 1990. There are five land based trout farms in Cyprus and several cages farms in reservoirs. Freshwater species have also some importance in recrational fisheries, and two small farms produce ornamental fishes (koi carp). Experimental works have started recently with the intensive production of sturgeon in a co-operation with Hungary.

2.5. Egypt

Egypt is the largest freshwater fish producer in the Mediterranean. The freshwater fisheries and aquaculture production was 193,550 tonnes in 1989. (Annex 5.). Fish has always been an important component of the Egyptian diet, and fish accounts for about 20 percent of the total animal protein consumption. The estimated per capita fish consumption is 7 kg/year is planned to be reached by 2000. This increase is largely based on the better use of the freshwater resources. Egypt is rich in natural freshwater resources, among therm the Nile River, the Lake Nasser and numerous smaller lakes and reservoirs. Pond culture has a major role in freshwater fish production, that is practised mainly in the Nile delta. The ponds are constructed in depressed irrigated areas. The total area of fish ponds is about 40,000 hectares. Pond farmers mostly rear indigenous species. Tilapia bas a major importance in freshwater fish production, but common carp, Chinese carps and mullet are also commonly cultivated mostly in polyculture. There is also a significant rice-fish culture (200,000 ha) which produces about 20,000 tonnes fish annually. Cage culture has also been introduced and applied commercially. Intensive fish farms have been built recently in the frame of joint ventures, for the production of tilapia and Macrobrachium rosenbergi. The future development of freshwater aquaculture in Egypt is largely based on the development of tilapia production, that needs further research and development work to improve the hatchery techniques and mass production tilapia fingerling and to improve and stabilise the productivity of tilapia dominant pond production. The results and experiences that have been gained in Egypt can be utilised well in the freshwater aquaculture development in the region.

2.6. Lebanon

Trout is the only freshwater species that has economical importance in Lebanon (Annex. 6.). Trout culture was well established in Lebanon before the war, however the production has been declining since 1980. The total trout production was about 100 tonnes in 1989. There about 55 trout farms in the country that provides a good basis for the future development of freshwater aquaculture, however the extensive rehabilitation of these farms is badly needed.

2.7. Libya

The total fisheries and aquaculture production is quite moderate in Libya and freshwater fish production is practically doesn't exist in this country (Annex 7.). Freshwater resources are very limited since the vast majority of the territory is covered by the Sahara Desert. Even if the freshwater resource are rather limited, their better use would contribute to the supply of cheap food to the poor population. Investigations are needed to explore potential sites for freshwater fish culture.

2.8. Malta

Due to the very limited resources, apparently either inland capture fisheries and aquaculture is nonexistent in Malta. The demands for water for domestic and commercial use as well as for agriculture and industry is too severe to provide justification for the establishment of conventional freshwater aquaculture. The use of highly intensive method such as those using recirculated water might be considered, but it is hardly though feasible (EIFAC 1990).

2.9. Morocco

Morocco has two coastlines, one along the Atlantic ocean (3,000 km) and another one along the Mediterranean sea (500 km), thus the production of marine species has a major role in the total fish production (Annex 8.). The total fisheries and aquaculture production was about 520,000 tonnes in 1989, but only 1850 tonnes came from inland water bodies. Although data on freshwater aquaculture production are not available in the statistics, there are several small scale carp farms and an intensive trout farm has also been built recently. Based on the needs for fish and fishery products, export possibilities and freshwater resources, there is a potential for freshwater aquaculture development in Morocco. Co-operation among MEDRAP countries might give a push to this development in the future.

2.10. Portugal

Portugal has a significant role in marine fisheries in the Mediterranean (Annex 9.), however total freshwater fish production form capture fisheries and aquaculture was only about 0.3 percent of the total fish production in 1889. Although freshwater resources are available in the country, their utilisation is far from optimal and freshwater fish production is mostly confined to the production or rainbow trout.

2.11. Syria

Syria has a 130 km coastline along the Mediterranean, however the area is not very suitable for aquaculture, therefore the fish production of the country is based on freshwater fish production. The total fish production was 5,600 tonnes in 1989, and about 80% of the production came from inland waters (Annex 10.). There are significant freshwater resources in Syria among them the Euphrates river, the Assad Lake and the extensive irrigation systems, that provide a good basis for the future development of freshwater fish production. These water resources are far from optimal utilization for the time of being. There are some well built government farms where high yields (5–7.5 t/ha) are reached in carp and tilapia production, but private enterprises have also been encouraged and supported recently. Cage culture is also practised in Lake Assad and in other bigger lakes and reservoires. The production cages has been reached 1,500 tonnes recently. For the better use of the existing freshwater resources, first of all the fingerling supply should be improved and further research and development work is need in nutrition (to provide cheap feed culture. The utilisation of saline soils by aquaculture is another possibility in the future that require further investigations.

2.12. Tunisia

The total fisheries and aquaculture production was about 95,000 tonnes in 1989, but only 171 tonnes of freshwater production (eel) has been reported (Annex II.) Freshwater aquaculture practically doesn't exist in Tunisia, although some freshwater resources are available in the country. The exploi tation and better use of these resources by fisheries and aquaculture would contribute to the better food supply of the population, thus the development of freshwater aquaculture would deserve more attention in the future.

2.13 Turkey

Having a long coastline of 8,300 km, marine fisheries and aquaculture is dominant in the fish production in Turkey. The total fish production was about 457,000 tonnes in 1989, out of which about 30,000 tonnes (7%) came inland waters (Annex 12.). Capture fisheries has a major role in freshwater fish production and share of aquaculture is only 7 percent. Most of the inland commercial fisheries derive form the lakes and reservoirs on the Anatolian plateau. Among the commercially impor tant freshwater fish species, common carp is far the most important one, its ratio is 70% of the total fisheries and aquaculture production. Eel and trout are also important species, but the indigenous crayfishes should also be mentioned that are excellent export products. Turkey does possess a good deal of potential for further development of inland fisheries. It will require, however, a great deal of concerted investigation, adaptation of modern methods, and training of personnel, and greater attention to water quality (EIFAC 1990).

2.14. Ex-Yugoslavia

Ex-Yugosalvia is the second largest freshwater aquaculture producer among the MEDRAP countries. The total freshwater fisheries and aquaculture production was 25,139 tonnes in 1989 and 53% of the production came from aquaculture (Annex 13). Common carp is a dominant species in fresh-water aquaculture production, its ratio was 53% from the total production in 1989. Due to the crisis and unsettled conditions in the former Yugoslavia and the effects of the war is unfortunately has not been over in this region, the fish production sector is in bad shape, and the valuable resources are far from optimal use. Hopefully the life will be normalised soon in this region, and the new countries that have been born here, especially Croatia that has a leading role in fisheries and aquaculture, will be able to participate actively in the fisheries and aquaculture development in the Mediterranean.

3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

Freshwater aquaculture has an important role in the aquaculture of the Mediterranean countries. A significant part of the aquaculture production comes from freshwater aquaculture as it has been demonstrated above. Consequently freshwater aquaculture should be an integral part of the MEDRAP programs.

The following program was prepared by the Freshwater Aquaculture Working Group in 1991.

OBJECTIVES

Research capacities and research needs have briefly been surveyed and it was found that both capacities and needs are highly diversified. However five major research areas have been identified, that might count for the interest of most of the countries in the Mediterranean region according to the followings:

• Ecological studies on freshwater water areas in order to introduce or develop fish culture in natural waters:

• Tecnology development in pond fish farming with special regards to tilapia and carp production;

• Development of the production technology of high value freshwater species;

• Research in aquaculture engineering with special respect to the design and operation of integrated systems (with irrigation, sewage treatment etc.);

• Development of processing and marketing of freshwater fish species.

Within these general research areas, specific programs have also been identified according to the followings:

-   Ecological study of selected reservoirs and other water bodies in Algeria, for the exploitation of those waters suitable for fish culture.

-   The development of mass production of tilapia fry in Egypt.

-   The development of carp breeding technology (broodstock management, propagation, larvae rearing nursing) in Albania.

-   Experimental work with sturgeon as a potential new species for the use of available fresh-water resources in Cyprus.

NETWORK

Abassa Aquaculture Research Institute in Egypt is propsed to be the focal point in the field of the research in freshwater aquaculture.
This recently developed institute is definitely the most important research institute in freshwater aquaculture in the region.
The institute could work in close collaboration with the Fish Culture Research Institute, Szarvas in Hungary that would act as as supporting institution during the implementation of research programs in freshwater aquaculture in the region, providing research consultancies, special materials and facilities for long term research programs in genetics, nutrition, aquatic ecology, fish pathology and engineering.
A competent research institute, station or department fro each MEDRAP countries is member institution of the network.
At the level of exchange of information all institutions are involved in the co-operation.
During the implementation of specific projects, the related institutions organise a co-operation within the network.

ACTIVITIES

— exchanges of information;
— exchanges of materials and experts;
— workshops and meetings in specific subjects;
— joint research projects;
— training programs.

Exchange of information, orgainsation of workshops and meetings and training programs that can be co-ordinated by Abbassa Institute with the involvement of Szarvas Institute. Exchange of materials and experts and the elaboration of joint research projects could be co-ordinated directly by the countries concerned.

FUNDING

— Contribution from the member institutions (exchange of information, materials, experts)
— MEDRAP II (Workshops and meetings)
— External sources (joint research projects, training programs)