CYPRUS
NATIONAL AQUACULTURE
SECTOR OVERVIEW
Split, 2005
HISTORY AND GENERAL OVERVIEW
Freshwater Aquaculture
1969  Experimental Freshwater Fish Culture Station at
Kalopanayiotis (Troodos mountain) was constructed for the
development of trout farming.
1972  First private commercial trout farms started to operate.
2004  6 private small trout farms
1 farm for the culture of ornamental fish
 Trout today is mostly cultured in
raceways by using a flow through
system as well as in cages that are
located in irrigation reservoirs
(dams).
HISTORY AND GENERAL OVERVIEW
Marine Aquaculture
1972  Marine Research Station at Gastria, Famagusta. In 1974 the
government lost access to the Station.
1978-1989  Small hatchery for the experimental reproduction of marine
fish, in Paphos harbour.
1989  Experimental
Marine Aquaculture Station
at Meneou.
The Station has a hatchery, a
small inland grow out facility
and some small cages in the
nearby Larnaka harbour area.
HISTORY AND GENERAL OVERVIEW
Marine Aquaculture
1986  First private commercial marine fish hatchery, producing
seabream and seabass fry.
1988  First marine fish fattening unit, which used land based coastal
installations, producing seabream and seabass.
1989  First commercial open sea cage farm, producing seabream and
seabass
1997  Eight open sea cage farms were in operation on the south coast
of the island.
2004  3 Hatcheries, producing seabream and seabass fry
5 fish fattening unit producing seabream and seabass
1 culture/fattening unit of bluefin tuna
1 shrimp hatchery/farm on land
HISTORY AND GENERAL OVERVIEW
Marine Aquaculture
 The marine fish hatcheries operate on an
intensive basis in coastal regions and
they are using a flow through system.
The fattening units are operating on an
intensive basis by using the method of
offshore cage culture in a distance of
1-3 km from the shore, at water
depths ranging from 18 -45 meters
and with a distance of 3 km at least
between them.
Cyprus
Aquaculture
LEGEND
Cage farms
Hatcheries
Shrimp farm
Trout farms
CULTURE SPECIES
 The main species cultured on a commercial basis in Cyprus are:
 seabream (Sparus aurata)  39 %
 seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)  20 %
 bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)  39 %
 sharp snout bream (Puntazzo puntazzo)
 rabbit fish (Siganus rivulatus)
 pandora (Pagellus erithrinus)
 Red seabream (Pagrus major)
 Indian shrimp (Parapenaeus indicus)
 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
PRODUCTION
Table 1: Aquaculture production by species for 2004
(table size fish and fry)
Value ($)
Fish Fry/Shrimp
Larvae
No.
Value ($)
1356
4,265,500
8,457,800
817,841
Seabass
698
2,471,200
7,498,000
735,760
Indian
Shrimp
15.2
106,400
800,000
*(see footnote)
Trout
91
299,884
438,000
9,660
Tuna
1370
9,545,500
----
----
3,530.2
16,688,484
17,193,800
1,563,261
Species
Table size
(tons)
Seabream
TOTAL
* The shrimp larvae produced is used only for stocking in the same farm.
PRODUCTION
Table 2: Aquaculture production for 2004
QUANTITY
VALUE
C£
MARINE AQUACULTURE TABLE FISH SOLD
LOCALLY
1318.308 tons
4,171,000
MARINE AQUACULTURE
EXPORTED TABLE FISH
2100.62 tons
12,111,200
15.2 tons
106,400
91 tons
299,884
3,525.128 tons
16,688,484
MARINE AQUACULTURE FRY EXPORTED
7,560,000
756,000
MARINE AQUACULTURE FRY USED LOCALLY
8,395,800
797,601
SHRIMP LARVAE USED LOCALLY
800,000
* (see footnote)
FRESH WATER AQUACULTURE FRY USED
LOCALLY
438,000
9,660
17,193,800
1,563,261
KIND OF CULTURE
SHRIMP CULTURE
TROUT AQUACULTURE SOLD LOCALLY
TOTAL FISH / SHRIMP
TOTAL FRY/LARVAE
GRAND TOTAL AQUACULTURE
* The shrimp larvae produced is used only for stocking in the same farm.
18,251,745
HUMAN RESOURCES
Marine aquaculture employs specialized scientific personnel, that have
completed relevant tertiary studies as well as technical personnel of various
specialties.
 Trout farms employ a small number of individuals with empirical technical
knowledge and usually operate as small family businesses.
Table 3: Cyprus Employment in Marine Aquaculture sector 2004
MEN
WOMEN
Full-time
employment
Part-time
employment
Full-time
employment
Part-time
employment
Production
97
23
4
4
Administration
12
0
10
1
Marketing
17
0
1
0
Total
126
23
15
5
TOTAL
148
21
CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMY
• The fisheries sector constitutes an important activity in
Cyprus, despite its relatively small contribution to the
Gross National Product (GNP), which does not exceed
0,3%.
• Today, aquaculture accounts, in terms of volume, for
approximately 70% of Cyprus fisheries production, while
in terms of value it exceeds 70%.
• The contribution of the aquaculture sub-sector in the
economy of the country has increased considerably during
the last decade (with the growth mainly of marine
aquaculture), due to the marketing of its products locally
and abroad.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND
MARINE RESEARCH (DFMR)
• Aquaculture in Cyprus is monitored and supported
technically by the Government ´s Ministry of Agriculture,
Natural Resources and Environment, through the
Department of Fisheries and Marine Research
(DFMR).
• The DFMR, is the responsible authority:
for the sustainable development and management of
marine and inland water resources
for the protection of the aquatic environment
Also it undertakes relevant research, including oceanography
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND
MARINE RESEARCH (DFMR)
•
The main activities of the Department of Fisheries and Marine
Research during 2003 aimed at the harmonization of Fisheries
and Aquaculture according with the Acquis Communautaire in
view of Cyprus accession into the EU.
•
The liberalization of trade for fish and fishery products between
Cyprus and EU was agreed after relevant negotiations. The
agreement provided for the reciprocal gradual reduction of
tariffs by 33,3%, that started in 2001, which in 2004 resulted in
full free trade.
•
During 2001-2003 tariff quotas were established for seabream,
seabass and sharpsnout bream fry as well as for the table size
fish of the above species.
GOVERNING REGULATIONS
• Aquaculture Law 2000, amended 2002
• Aquaculture (General) Regulations 2002, amended 2003
• Law 57(I) 2001, regarding the environmental impact of particular or
specific projects, which requires the mandatory environmental impact
assessment study for aquaculture projects and its evaluation by the
environmental authorities before license is granted.
• Laws regarding the recognition of producers’ organizations in the
fisheries sector.
• Laws and relative Regulations, regarding the health conditions for the
production and marketing of fisheries products
FUTURE STRATEGY FOR THE
FISHERIES SECTOR
Strategic Development Plan 2004-2006
 Competitive and sustainable commercial fishing and
aquaculture industry in order to:
 offer the consumers high quality products
 meet the demands of the market
 successfully face both the European challenge and the
broader international competition.
FUTURE STRATEGY FOR THE
FISHERIES SECTOR
Strategic Development Plan 2004-2006

Due to the need of aquaculture development, strategic aims
are determined as follows:
(a) The modernization of the fish farming enterprises, as regards
technological, organizational and marketing issues.
(b) The enhancement of the competitiveness of aquaculture and
the improvement of productivity and quality.
(c) The sustainable development of aquaculture in respect to the
environmental and socioeconomic conditions.
(d) The creation of new employment positions, mainly for
scientific and technical personnel.
FUTURE STRATEGY FOR THE
FISHERIES SECTOR
Strategic Development Plan 2004-2006
Additionally:
• Cyprus, being predominantly a tourist destination, is very
conscious regarding environmental aspects.
• The policy of the state has been the gradual development
(precautionary approach) of aquaculture and the use of
open sea cage farming technology.
• A very strict legal framework including environmental
monitoring has been enforced, in order to facilitate the
evaluation of the environmental impact of fish farms.
• The culture of new species that are lower in the food chain is
promoted by Cyprus and priority is given in culturing such
species.