| Characteristics, structure and resources of the sector |
 | Summary |  |
The main type of aquaculture carried out in Cyprus is marine aquaculture and the outlook for its expansion is positive. Mariculture is currently carried out exclusively on the southern coasts of the country and the culture method utilized is open sea cage culture. In 2009 the main marine species commercially cultured were the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrachus labrax). The total production of seabream and seabass in percentage was 78 and 21 percent, respectively. The following species are also produced in much smaller quantities (1 percent): sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) Japanese seabream (Pagrus major), marbled spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) and the Indian white prawn (Penaeus indicus). The production of marine fish has been showing an increasing trend over the last few years.
Freshwater fish production is also carried out to some extent. The main freshwater fish cultured on a commercial basis is the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Some small quantities of Siberian sturgeon (Acipencer baerii) have been also produced commercially for the first time in 2009. The production of trout has been stable over recent years, but is directly influenced by climatic conditions such as drought which may have an impact on the availability of water and consequently on production.
The marine sector employs a number of specialized scientific personnel as well as technical staff with different specialties while trout farms employ staff with minimum technical knowledge. Trout culture, in conjunction with local trout restaurants, contributes to employment opportunities in mountainous and rural areas.
In terms of volume, aquaculture accounts for approximately 65 percent of fisheries production in Cyprus and in terms of value approximately 55 percent. It also accounts for an important part of the fish and fisheries products consumed in Cyprus. Of the annual 18 kilograms per capita consumption of fish and fisheries products, aquaculture products account for about 2.5-3 kilograms.
The expansion and diversification of products from marine and freshwater farms is a priority for the future viability of the sector. There is an increased focus on exports as the domestic market is unable to absorb all the local production. A global strategy for the fisheries sector has been drawn up and includes a series of strategic aims for the aquaculture sector. As the capture fisheries production is declining, and the demand for some traditional fisheries products is increasing, it is within the aims of the aquaculture sector to increase production by introducing the culture of new species as well as to diversify, through processing, the range of products available on the market.
| History and general overview | |
Aquaculture in Cyprus started in 1969 with attempts to develop trout farming in the Troodos mountain range. The experimental freshwater fish culture station of the Fisheries and Marine Research Department (DFMR) was constructed at Kalopanayiotis and initially served as a pilot research station. Three years later the first private commercial trout farms became operational. Today trout is cultured mostly in raceways by using flow through systems as well as in cages located in irrigation reservoirs.
The first attempts at marine aquaculture were made in 1972 when the construction of a marine research station was initiated by the DFMR at Gastria, on the east coast of Cyprus, about 15 km northeast of Famagusta. In 1974 the Government lost access to the station. Research work in marine aquaculture continued from 1978-1989 in the Paphos harbour where the DFMR successfully operated a small hatchery for the experimental reproduction of marine fish, mainly the European seabass, gilthead seabream, white seabream (Diplodus sargus) and marbled spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus). Broodstock was reared in small cages in the harbour area. A new experimental marine aquaculture station at Meneou, near Larnaka airport, was built by the DFMR in 1989 and all marine aquaculture research activities were resumed there. The station has an hatchery, a small grow-out facility and a number of floating cages.
The first private commercial marine fish hatchery began production in 1986, producing gilthead seabream and European seabass fingerlings. The first marine fish fattening unit, which used land-based coastal installations, started operation in 1988 producing the gilthead seabream and the European seabass, while the first commercial open sea cage farm was established in 1989. By 1997 a total of eight open sea cage farms were in operation on the south coast of the island. In 2004 there were four private marine fish hatcheries in operation, one land-based shrimp hatchery/farm and six private offshore cage farms. In order to diversify aquaculture, three licenses for fattening the Atlantic bluefin tuna were given, one in 2003 and two more in 2005.
In 2009 in Cyprus there were in operation (licensed) seven marine open sea cage farms cultruring mainly seabass and seabream, three Atlantic bluefin tuna fattening units, one land-based shrimp hatchery/farm, six small trout farms and two small land based units for the culture of freshwater ornamental fish. The tuna fattening units have been inactive for the seasons 2008 and 2009 due to the fishing season restrictions and the quota limitations as set by ICCAT and the EU.
The total aquaculture production in 2009 reached 3 300 tonnes of table size fish including 8 tonnes of shrimp and 69 tonnes of trout. In addition, 12.1 million marine fish fry were produced. The total value of aquaculture products in 2009 reached EUR 18.2 million (USD 25.2 million). (Aquaculture Annual Report, 2010).
| Human resources | |
Total employment in the aquaculture sector in 2009 was 245 (200 males and 45 females). The majority are employed in the marine aquaculture sector (220) and a smaller number in the freshwater sector (25). Employment includes both full-time and part-time and covers production, administration and marketing.
Marine aquaculture employs specialized scientific personnel who have completed relevant studies in tertiary educational institutions, as well as technical personnel with various technical backgrounds. Trout farms employ a small number of individuals with overall technical knowledge and are usually run as small family businesses. Two of the six trout farms operate in conjunction with adjacent restaurants. Trout farming creates employment opportunities in the mountainous and rural areas. It is estimated that the aquaculture sector also provides indirect employment for more than 200 people in ancillary professions.
| Farming systems distribution and characteristics | |
There are currently ten private offshore cage farms in operation including Atlantic bluefin tuna fattening units. Two of them are located in Limassol, seven in the Moni – Vasilikos - Zygi area (east of Limassol) and one in Liopetri (east of Larnaca). Three private marine fish hatcheries are also in operation: one located in Akrotiri (west of Limassol), one in Paphos and one in Liopetri. The six small trout farms are located in the Troodos mountain range and the shrimp hatchery/farm is located in Akrotiri (west of Limassol). All fish farms are situated in the southern coast of the island.
| Cultured species | |
The main marine fish species cultured or fattened during the last few years on a commercial basis are the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), and the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus). In 2009 the production ratio for the gilthead seabream and the European seabass, was 78 and 21 percent, respectively. The tuna fattening (which utilizes fish caught) units were inactive in 2008 and 2009 due to the fishing season restrictions and the quota limitations as set by ICCAT and the EU.
The following species are also produced in much smaller quantities: sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo), Japanese seabream (Pagrus major), marbled spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus), meagre (Argyrosomus regius) and the Indian white prawn (Penaeus indicus). The only freshwater species cultured on a commercial basis for human consumption is the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and small quantities of the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii). There are also in operation two smallland-based farms for the culture of ornamental freshwater fish (Koi-carps and varieties of gold fish.
Most of the species cultured are native to the Mediterranean Sea except for Japanese seabream, which has also been cultured for a few years in other Mediterranean countries, and the marbled spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) fish and the Indian shrimp which are lesepsian migrants, meaning that they came into the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Cyprus does not have any endemic freshwater species, with the exception of European eel (Anguilla anguilla), due to its limited freshwater resources. After the construction of dams and reservoirs all freshwater species, including the ones being cultured, were introduced during the 1960s and have been on the island ever since.
| Practices/systems of culture | |
The ongrowing units in marine fish production operate on an intensive basis, using offshore cages. They are located at a distance of 1-3 kilometres from the shore at water depths ranging from 20-75 metres. The main reasons for adopting this culture method are the strong competition for using coastal land and sea areas and, more importantly, the fact that this system is considered to have the least impact on the environment and provide the best possible conditions for the fish in terms of animal welfare. The lack of closed bays and the open sea conditions, characterized mainly by strong currents and great depth, contribute to better dispersion of the released nutrients that are produced during grow-out activities. The impact is limited to the bottom of the cages and to a lesser extent up to 50-100 metres from the farms. Almost all existing types of open sea cages are used by the private sector and the farms are gradually employing mechanized systems for feeding and harvesting. They are also adopting new cage technology in an effort to cut down production costs and become more efficient and competitive nationally and internationally.
The marine fish hatcheries operate on an intensive basis in coastal regions. Over the last few years they have undergone technical upgrading and expansion. Specifically, the technological upgrading resulted in improved efficiency as well as an increase in the production and quality of the fry, which lead in establishing economies of scale thus making the hatcheries more competitive. Hatcheries use a flow through system. The water used is pumped into the unit from coastal wells. Effluent waters go through filtration and settling ponds before being released back into the sea.
Trout are produced in land-based intensive systems (raceways). Trout farms also use a flow through system by utilizing ground water or water that comes directly from rivers or reservoirs. The water undergoes filtration and through settling ponds or tanks before being released back into the environment.
The shrimp farm is unique in its kind in the Mediterranean in terms of the biotechnology it has developed. Shrimps are produced in a land-based system by using lined earthen ponds. Its hatchery operation is similar to the other marine hatcheries.
| Production | |
In 2009, fish production reached 3 300 tonnes. This comprised mainly 2 552 tonnes of gilthead seabream and 703 tonnes of European seabass. In addition, 69 tonnes of trout and 8 tonnes of shrimp were produced. Moreover, 12.1 million marine fish fry were produced, and all were used locally. The total value of aquaculture products in 2004 reached 18.2 million (USD 25.2 million) (see Table 1).
Table 1. Aquaculture production by species for 2009 (table size fish and fry).
| Seabream | 2552 | 11 504 000 | 15 933 | 8 589 | 1 156 | 1601 | | Seabass | 702 | 4 116 000 | 5 701 | 3 610 | 424 | 587 | | Sharpsnout Bream | 0 | 0 | 0 | 231 | 42 | 58 | | Meagre | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 45 | 62 | | Japanese Seabream | 10.1 | 71 000 | 98 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Marble Spinefoot | 2.4 | 23 000 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Indian shrimp | 7.9 | 95 000 | 132 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Trout | 69 | 547 000 | 758 | 4221 | 12 | 17 | | Siberian Sturgeon | 1.2 | 9 000 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | TOTAL | 3 336 | 16 365 000 | 22 666 | 12 902 | 1 679 | 2 325 |
1Of the 422 000 about 32 000 fingerlings were released by DFMR into the wild (irrigation reservoirs/dams) for recreational purposes.
(Source: Aquaculture Annual Report, 2010)
The graph below shows total aquaculture production in Cyprus according to FAO statistics:
Reported aquaculture production in Cyprus (from 1950)
(FAO Fishery Statistic) |  | 
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(Source: FAO Fishery Statistics, Aquaculture production)
| Market and trade | |
Over 80 percent of the local marketing of marine aquaculture production is carried out through the traditional network of producers - fish retailers. The intermediary maximizes profit at the expense of both the consumer and producer. Although the prices of farmed products are lower than the prices of wild caught specimen, the retail price is increased which has a negative effects on their consumption.
The small size of marine fish farms in Cyprus results in relatively high production costs. The lack of economies of scale makes them less competitive internationally and most probably locally. The vertical integration of marine fish farming units has recently taken place. In addition, the ongoing purchasing and upgrading of retail fish shops by fish farming companies may contribute to improved marketing as well as an increase in the quantity of aquaculture products locally sold. Over the past three - four years, the local market for gilthead seabream in particular, but also for the European seabass, has expanded considerably.
In 2009, the majority of market-sized gilthead seabream and European seabass from marine aquaculture was exported and only 35 percent of the production was consumed domestically. The main export countries are the United States of America, Russian Federation, Israel, the European Union (EU) and several countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
The export of fry from Cyprus hatcheries has decreased over the last three years. This is most probably due to the development of hatcheries in other countries making them self sustained thus decreasing the need for imports. All the marine fry that was produced in 2009 was used locally. Most of the trout is marketed directly by the trout farmers, fresh or smoked, or in association with restaurants. Due to the small production per farm, the cost of production is high, resulting in high selling prices, compared to prices in other European countries.
All farms have harmonized their harvesting, packaging and distribution systems according to European Union hygiene directives, by constructing suitable, high technology packaging and processing as well as marketing facilities.
| Contribution to the economy | |
The fisheries sector is an important activity in Cyprus, despite the fact that it makes a relatively small contribution to its Gross National Production (GNP): i.e. it does not exceed 0.3 percent. Aquaculture currently accounts for approximately 65 percent of total fisheries production by volume, and over 55 percent by value. Approximately 1 500 individuals are directly occupied in the fisheries sector as fishermen or aquaculturists, or in the processing sub-sector. Approximately 1 000 individuals are also indirectly employed in ancillary professions such as boat building, fish retailing, technical maintenance and importing fishing gear and equipment.
Aquaculture companies operate their own processing and packaging facilities which have been approved by the Government and comply with relevant EU regulations and directives. Cyprus, due to its size, has the capacity to offer high quality products to the consumer in very short periods of time. It can further provide consumers with fisheries products at lower prices, thus making them accessible to a larger number of households. The contribution of the aquaculture sub-sector to the economy of the country has increased considerably over the last decade. Marine aquaculture has had the fastest growth due to the marketing of its products locally and abroad. Investment in this sector is likely to increase, thereby ensuring further growth with respect to the new market conditions as they develop and form. Investment is expected to occur mainly in marine aquaculture which has the best prospects for growth.
In 2009, as a result of the total value of exported aquaculture products, the trade balance in fisheries products improved considerably. This result reflects and emphasizes the importance of aquaculture in the economy of Cyprus.
| Promotion and management of the sector |
| The institutional framework | |
Aquaculture in Cyprus is governed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, through the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) which currently has a staff of 110. The DFMR' has its headquarters in Nicosia and five district units, located in the five coastal regions of Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Paralimni, and Latsi. There are also two research stations at Meneou and Kalopanayiotis specialized in research and development of marine and freshwater aquaculture, respectively. The DFMR laboratories carry out work in fish biology, marine ecology, contaminant concentration in marine organisms, seawater analysis, etc.
The field work as well as monitoring and inspection capabilities of the DFMR are supported by five large and three small inflatable well-equipped vessels and three smaller ones.
The DFMR consists of five divisions:
- Fisheries Resources Division (Policy, Research and Development), responsible for:
-Management and research of fisheries resources.
- European Union and international cooperation.
- Sustainable use of the fisheries resources.
- Aquaculture Research and Development Division, responsible for:
- Marine aquaculture.
- Freshwater aquaculture and inland water management.
- Aquaculture research.
- Implementation and management of the fisheries structural fund.
- Marine Environment Research Division, responsible for:
- Pollution (marine services).
- Marine biology and ecology.
- Support and Services Division, responsible for:
- Construction of fishing shelters.
- Control Division, responsible for:
- Monitoring.
- VMS (Vessel Motoring System) centre.
- Fishing vessel registry.
The DFMR is responsible for the sustainable development and management of marine and inland water fisheries and the protection of the aquatic environment as well as for all applied research activities. It ensures the application of sound management measures and controls regarding the exploitation of Cyprus fishery resources and marine environment by enforcing fisheries and aquaculture legislation.
In 2009 the main activities of the DFMR focused in implementing the European Fisheries Fund 2007-2013, (EFF). The fund is being utilized for planning and management and development of the fisheries sector. Technical and financial support is also granted to aquaculturists in the framework of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and EFF. Two specific measures included in the Cypriot Strategic Plan which relate to and are expected to further promote and support the aquaculture industry are: (1) development of aquaculture, and (2) development of the processing and marketing sector for fisheries and aquaculture products. The first measure aims at the sustainable and balanced development of aquaculture, mainly in the coastal areas, but also in the mountainous regions, to maximize its contribution to domestic fisheries production according to the needs of the local and international market.
The first set of measures aims at assisting existing farms to increase production through modernization of facilities and equipment as well as to encourage the establishment of new farms. The second set of measures aims at improving the supply of products to the market and utilization of fisheries and aquaculture products.
This will be achieved by means of:
- The promotion and encouragement of investments in marketing and processing.
- The implementation of relevant EU standards.
- The processing of high value added products from aquaculture and fisheries for the domestic and export markets.
- The adoption and implementation of modern technology.
- Increased productivity and competitiveness of processing, marketing and distribution units.
- The regular monitoring of production/marketing.
| The governing regulations | |
Strict laws and regulations control the granting of permits and the operation of all fish farms. All permits are granted after submission and approval of a stringent environmental impact assessment study. Marine farms are further obliged by law to submit an environmental monitoring report every six months (winter and summer). Such monitoring is carried out in accordance with directives issued by the DFMR and includes sampling and analyses of the water column and the macrobenthos from several stations at fixed distances from the farms. Monitoring is carried out by independent scientists or companies approved by the DFMR.
The main regulations governing aquaculture are the following:
- Aquaculture Law 2000 until 2010.
- Aquaculture (General) Regulations amended in 2009.
- Fisheries Control Law and Regulations, amended in 2005.
- Law 140(I) 2005 regarding environmental impact which requires mandatory environmental impact assessment studies for aquaculture projects before any license or increase in production is granted.
- Laws, regarding the recognition of producers' organizations in the fisheries sector.
- Laws and related regulations regarding the health conditions for production and marketing of fisheries products, including Council Directive 91/492/EEC.
| Applied research, education and training | |
The DFMR operates two research stations, one at Meneou (near Larnaca) for marine aquaculture and one at Kalopanayiotis (in the Troodos Mountains) for freshwater aquaculture. The Meneou Station carries out research and development mainly on marine aquaculture diversification. The main species currently under experimental culture are the red porgy (Pagrus pagrus), common dentex (Dentex dentex), marbled spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus), common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus), meagre (Argyrosomus regius), octopus (Octopus vulgaris), and the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerilii). Research work has focused on reproduction and larval rearing as well as on intensive rearing, broodstock management, genetic improvement, etc. Research into the diversification of technology refers mainly to open sea cage culture and to closed recirculation system technology. Research work into the impact of cage culture on the marine environment is also underway.
The Kalopanayiotis Station operates mainly as a fish hatchery station for the supply of trout fingerlings for private fish farms and it also carries out research on new species such as the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), the European perch (perca fluviatilis), the largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides), catfishes (Silurus glanis and Ictalurus punctatus). The station is also used for the collection or production of certain other freshwater species for stocking water bodies for recreational angling.
Some private marine fish farms also cooperate with the DFMR on genetic improvement programmes (selective breeding) with a view to improve the performance of fingerlings in terms of survival and growth rates.
| Trends, issues and development |
In the past ten years, aquaculture policy has focus on sustainable development, increased production and diversification of cultured species. The sustainable expansion of the sector and diversification of production from both marine and freshwater farms is still a priority. The achievement of economies of scale will lower production costs, however a large part of the production will have to be exported since the local market is not in a position to absorb all the production. The species currently cultured will unlikely ensure the sustainability of the sector. Further expansion and species diversification is necessary for the long-term viability of the sector.
The consumption of fish, particularly fresh fish, is expected to increase progressively in Cyprus due to the rise in living standards, along with an understanding of the nutritional and health values of fish. Marketing campaigns will certainly contribute to the growth of the local market and an increase in consumption may be achieved if high quality fisheries products reach the consumer at affordable prices. The price of farmed marine finfish, even though they show a declining trend, continues to be attractive to producers. Some consumers still have reservations on consuming cultured fish particularly with regards to hygiene and quality of the product, but this is mainly due to lack of information and a good marketing strategy.
The enlargement of the domestic market has been activated by the involvement of the major supermarkets in the traditional system of marketing, whereby fish products become more easily accessible to households. Packaging and marketing are increasingly carried out in locations of high specification which conform to relevant EU directives. Diversification of fisheries products through aquaculture is expected to have a beneficial impact on consumption.
The import of preserved or processed fisheries products has been increasing with a recorded 130 percent increase in the period 1988-1998. In general, consumers have developed a marked preference for pre-packaged ready-to-eat products. This development is facilitated by the increased role of supermarkets in the distribution of fisheries (including aquaculture) products.
A global strategy for the fisheries sector, as envisaged in the Strategic Development Plan 2007-2013, is to attain a competitive and sustainable commercial fishing and aquaculture industry, capable of offering consumers high quality products, meeting market demands and successfully facing both the European challenge and broader international competition. The main objective of the plan is the sustainable development of aquaculture in coastal areas and in the mountainous regions in order to maximize its contribution to the domestic fisheries production. Due to the needs of the aquaculture sector, the main strategic needs identified are:
- Modernization of farming enterprises with respect to technology, organization and marketing.
- Increasing aquaculture competitiveness and improving productivity and product quality.
- Ensure a sustainable development with respect to the environment and socio-economic issues.
- Creation of new employment opportunities in research and technical fields.
Specific actions identified to implement the strategy are:
- Application of the legislative framework for the sector (includes environmental impact assessment and environmental monitoring system for existing and new fish farms).
- Improved framework for health control of farmed fish and hygiene of aquaculture products through the adoption of control systems and quality standards.
- Surveying of farming activities and inclusion of aquaculture in coastal zone management plans.
- Monitoring production and marketing through the creation of relevant databases.
- Increase compliance with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF).
- Modernization of production, processing and information technologies.
Being a predominantly tourist destination, Cyprus is very conscious of all environmental issues. Thus, the State policy has focused on a gradual development (precautionary approach) of aquaculture and the use of open sea cage farming technology. The culture of new species lower down the food chain has also been identified as a priority. A strict legal framework including environmental monitoring has been enforced in order to study the environmental impact of fish farms. Licenses for expanding or establishing a new fish farm require the submission of environmental impact assessment studies (Law 140(I) 2005). Furthermore, all legislation for the sector, with respect to the environment, has been harmonized with EU legislation.
| Bibliography | |
Aquaculture Annual Report. 2010
. Department of Fisheries and Marine Research,
Republic of Cyprus. Operational Programme for Fisheries. 2007-2013
. Planning Bureau,
Republic of Cyprus Programme Complement for Fisheries. 2004-2006. Planning Bureau,
Republic of Cyprus | Related links | |
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