1. INTRODUCTION
Several attempts have been made to culture fish or shellfish in Malta since 1968, such as oysters, mussels, mullets and tilapia.
These attempts failed for several reasons (loss of culture due to rough seas, water contamination, pilferage, lack of funds, etc.).
2. CURRENT STATE OF AQUACULTURE
In 1985, the Government of the Republic of Malta requested the assistance of MEDRAP and that of other institutions, such as the Council of Europe and the PAP/RAC, for the implementation of a first pilot project.
In July 1986, two cages with 17 000 sea bass fry were installed under the assistance of MEDRAP, in the Mistra Bay so as to allow the Maltese to become familiar with fish rearing techniques and to study the true potential of aquaculture in Malta. Unfortunately, in the winter 1986–87, the cages were destroyed by rough seas. Despite the result of this experience, the Government is interested in the continution of this experience.
There are no private aquaculture farms except two ponds where mullets are extensively reared; however, the private sector including fishermen, feed producers and financial investors are very interested and investments in marine aquaculture are expected in the near future.
3. PROGRAMME
The Government is engaged in a programme whose main purpose is the improvement in general of the national fish product and in particular the development of the aquaculture production (Present Five-year National Plan, 1985–1990).
The objectives of the Governments as a whole, in terms applicable to Fisheries are to increase supply of fish, to create employment, to contribute to an inflow of foreign exchange and to use more underutilized natural resources.
4. PRODUCTION
From early times, fishing has been carried out along the narrow southern coastal strip and on the north-eastern continental shelf but, over the last 10 the 15 years, the production hs gradually been on the decline from 1 530 t in 1976 to 990 t in 1983. In 1984, the production gave better results due mainly to the very important catches of dorado (dolphin-fish which made up 45–50% of total catches (MEDRAP FD/86/01).
There is no aquaculture production.
5. MARKETING
In terms of fish trade balance Malta shows a negative figure (see Fig. 1). Fifty percent of the total fish supply is imported (including frozen, smoked and canned fish). During the last five years no fresh fish was imported (MEDRAP FD/86/01). Fresh fish is mainly exported to Lybia and Italy (5 t in 1984) by the Maltese Arab Fishery Co. Malta has increase its consumption of all animal protein food (35 kg/caput/year) either through imports or national production; fish has taken up a relative share of about 14–15% equally split between imports and national poduction
6. INSTITUTINAL CONTEXT
The Government's main objective , during the last five year National Plan (1981–85) was to develop the fishing industry by means of a trawler fleet. A great priority is now accorded to aquaculture in the new five-year National Plan (1986–1990).
The fisheries sector is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through the Department of Fisheries. This Department has no experience in marine aquaculture but could acquire such an experience through training sessions, study tours, etc.
The University of Malta has no college of marine sciences and there appears to be little cooperations between it and the Department of Fisheries even if, in the past, it had contracted most research work on aquaculture, carried out in Malta. Science Department could cooperate in the future with the Department of fisheries especially or the study and the monitoring of the sites.
7. RECOMMENDTIONS
The participants in the mission carried out in Malta, in November 1985, to establish a programme to improve the National fish production, recommended:
- to undertake a survey of sites and lands suitable for cage and pond installation;
- to establish regulation to control sale and lease of land suitable for aquaculture;
- to establish a regulation against the pollution of these sites;
- to establish a Joint Committee of Aquaculture including the Department of Fisheries, the University of Malta and other institutes or services involved in aquaculture development;
- to encourage applied research on local species or local strains in the field of reproduction, nutrition, pathology, etc.
- to implement a fish marine aquaculture station in order to link basic and applied research closely.
REFERENCES
MEDRAP FD/86/01. Republic of Malta. Marine Aquaculture Development (First Draft) January 1986.
MEDRAP REPORTS ON MALTA
TR/86/07. Mission to Malta July 1986.
Contents: Installation of the cages in Mistra bay. Reception of the fry arriving from France. Organization of the programme of cage culture.
TR/86/12. Mission to Malta. October 1986.
Contents: Sanitary advice on a fish mortality in the cage culture in Mistra Bay.
