1. INTRODUCTION
The coastal length of Cyprus is 782 km out of which 413 km are in the occupied Turkish part, 72.82 km belong to the Sovereign British bases and 296 km are controlled by the Cyprus Government (MEDRAP - TD/86/06). The efforts made since 1972 by the Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources) for the development of marine aquaculture have since brought about the establishment of some private farms. This development is encouraged by the great demand for fresh fish (especially during the tourist season) and, on account of the favourable environmental conditions prevailing such as the sea water temperature (min. 15°C, max. 28°–29°C) and the very limited coastal pollution (MEDRAP - TR/86/11). In spite of these suitable characteristics for the rearing of Mediterranean species, various negative factors exist :
- the coast is characterized by the absence of lagoons so that extensive rearing appears impossible;
- protective bays are inexistant and this excludes the use of floating cages;
- there is great pressure for tourist development along the coast.
The development of marine aquaculture in Cyprus is thus more suitable for inland structures where artificial reproduction of the fish and their intensive fattening could be carried out.
2. CURRENT STATE OF AQUACULTURE
2.1 Department of Fisheries
In 1978 the Department of Fisheries installed some cages in the Paphos harbour and started the first attempt at fattening sea bass and gilthead sea bream imported from France.
In 1979, the Department began the first experience in artificial reproduction and this activity began in 1981 the main working subject.
At present, the small hatchery is still in use but it will soon be replaced by the new one near Larnaca (MEDRAP - TR/86/11). The attempts made with sea bass gave positive results while those with gilthead sea bream and Siganid (Siganus rivulatus and S. luridus) gave negative results. Cage section (for fattening and stocking broadfish) is placed in the harbour.
The new hatchery will be built at Meneou. The expected production could be around 300 000 sea bass fingerlings of 1 gr in weight during two cycles (January - March) which will be sold to the other farms in the island.
2.2 Telia Aquamarine Ltd.
Telia Aquamarine Ltd. will built a new fish farm near Xilophagou. Only the fattening unit is scheduled and the fingerlings will be supplied by the Department of Fisheries or imported.
2.3 Sagro Aquaculture Ltd.
The Sagro Aquaculture Ltd. located near Paphos (Kouklia) has been working in mariculture since 1984. The farm includes a mariculture section (hatchery, nursery and a scheduled fattening unit) and a Tilapia rearing section (breading, nursery and fattening units). Sagro Aquaculture Ltd. has active support from the Fisheries Department (technical assistance, supply of sea bream and sea bass eggs and fry, supply of sea bass broadfish).
There is a small unit where food for Tilapia is produced.
2.4 Fish Farm Development Ltd. (Argyll, Scotland)
A hatchery for the reproduction of marine species has been recently built near Cape Aspro (Limassol). At present (1986) eggs are imported, due to the difficulty of the achievement of broodstock. The activity of 1986 season was principally based on gilthead sea bream and a total of 200 000 fingerlings were produced. A few sea bream are retained for its own small grow-out unit but most juveniles are exported (Greece). This unit expects to expand to meet export demand and to continue to serve a research and developmente/demonstration unit for its parent company (UK consultancy) (MEDRAP - TR/86/11; ADCP/REP/87/29).
2.5 Freshwater aquaculture
At present, the production mainly concerns intensive rearing of trout and the restocking of lakes and reservoirs for fishing. The principal problem for fresh water production is the reduced quantity of fresh water at disposal in Cyprus.
Total trout production in 1983 reached 45 t and concerns 4 private and one Governmental establishment (managed by the Fisheries Department). This experimental station, located at Kalopanayitis, produces 7–8 t/year of trout sold to private piscicultures (70%) or directly to the public. About 200 000 troutlings are resold to aquaculturists and 60 000 are utilized for the restocking of the lakes and dams. Restocking is also carried out with common carp and, for research purposes, with Chinese carp, tilapia and cray-fish (Pasifastacus lenlusculus).
3. PROGRAMME
The principal aim of the Fisheries Department is to give assistance and to coordinate the development of the private aquaculture sector. For this reason priority has been given to the implementation of the fingerling production (especially sea bass and gilthead sea bream).
Some tests have been carried out on shrimp (p. japonicus) and oyster, but due to the lack of appropriate sites for farming these are still considered secondary topics in the general activity programme of the Department. The Department explore the possibility of exploiting the population of Artemia salina present in a salt lake, of about 5–6 km 2, near the airport of Larnaca. The production of cysts appears very variable and it seems strictly related to the quantities of fresh water at disposal (MEDRAP - TR/86/11).
Other research work is carried out on fish and shrimp feeding.
The Fisheries Department has also implemented a turtle project for the conservation of those species which are at risk of extinction (green turtle and Logger head turtle). A hatchery has been built at Lara beach where the green turtle reproduces naturally in Cyprus. Rearing and feeding tests are being carried out in the laboratory of Nicosia.
Concerning freshwater fish, the programme of research concerns:
- the perfecting of a local food technique;
- tests on the genetic monosex female culture of trout.
4. PRODUCTION
In 1984, total domestic fisheries yielded about 2 300 t. This included about 56 t of cultivated trout and about 183 t from trawl fishing trips to international waters which were Government subsidized (MEDRAP - TD/86/06). Two thirds of the catches come from coastal fishing which has a fleet of 447 boats. The existance of two particular sectors should be remarked: sword fish (80 t) and sponge fishing (1 to 2 t).
The Turkish occupation brought about the loss of 40% of fishing reserves (continental shelf) and more than 50% of coastal border of the island. Nevertheless, the total catches in 1983 were greater by 40% than the best production obtained before the occupation. The increase in catches in the territorial water is credited by the administration to the management measures taken: the extension of the prohibition periods for trawlers of 4-months (June-October) and the limitation of the driving power of the trawlers.
To date there is no aquaculture production of sea bass, sea bream, mullets or eels. Despite the severe limitations on the development of this production (see introduction) it was forecast that the production of sea bass and sea bream might reach 200 t per year by 1992 (ADCP/REP/87/29).
5. MARKETING
Marine fish are highly estimated by Cypriots. The consumption of fish per caput, in 1984, was 3.8 kg/year (ADCP/REP/87/29). A significant part of the good quality fish is consumed by the continuously growing tourist industry - the principal industry of the island (in 1984 about 735 000 tourists visited Cyprus whose local population is 538 400). The demand for sea fish is gradually increasing. In 1984 about 2 700 t of fish has been imported (this included 141 t of good quality fish).
5.1 Distribution
Traditionally, fresh marine fish is sold wholesale to fish mongers by both inshore fishermen and trawlers at prices fixed through contract.
The marketing of farmed marine fish could be undertaken by producers; this is presently done with trout.
The favourable environmental conditions could possibly result in end products which could be sold at competitive prices abroad. There exist good plane connections with both Europe, Near East and Gulf countries which could facilitate the export of aquaculture products.
6. RECOMMENDATIONS
During the mission carried out in July 1986 in Cyprus, the following recommendations were proposed:
- to build hatcheries for the artificial reproduction due to the absence of natural stocks of the most commonly reared species;
- to carry out training activities so as to increase the availability of specialized personnel.
- to carry out studies and researches on subjects such as the presence of A. Saline in the island, the availability of underground sea water and brackishwater, etc.
REFERENCES
MEDRAP - TD/36/06 - Seminar: Socio-Economic aspects of Aquaculture Development in the Mediterranean countries. Djerba (Tunisia) 14–24 November 1985.
MEDRAP - TR/86/11 - Mission to Cyprus. Present status of Marine Aquaculture. July 1986.
MEDRAP - FD/85/06 - General presentation of fish production in Cyprus. October 1985.
ADCP/REP/87/29 - The market for the prime Mediterranean Species - Sea bass, sea bream, mullets and eel and their links with investment.
Report of the UNDP/FAO Evaluation Mission. July 1986.
OTHER MEDRAP REPORTS ON CYPRUS
TR/85/06 - Mr. Apostolides' hatchery (Some data). July 1985.
Contents: Revision of the hatchery project
Tr/85/07 - Mission Report. SAGRO Aquaculture Ltd., Cyprus. July 1985.
Contents: Advice to the SAGRO Aquaculture Ltd. on the choice of a sea pumping system, on the implantation of the prefattening and fattening structure and on the installation of the hatchery so that the intensive production of fry may be achieved.
