CYPRUS NATIONAL AQUACULTURE SECTOR OVERVIEW

1. CYPRUSNATIONAL AQUACULTURE SECTOR OVERVIEW Split, 2005

2. 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).

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. . Kyrenia . Famagusta . Nicosia Troodos Mountain . Larnaca LEGEND Cage farms Hatcheries Shrimp farm Trout farms .Pafos Limassol . Cyprus Aquaculture

7. 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)

8. PRODUCTION Table 1: Aquaculture production by species for 2004 (table size fish and fry) * The shrimp larvae produced is used only for stocking in the same farm.

9. PRODUCTION Table 2: Aquaculture production for 2004 * The shrimp larvae produced is used only for stocking in the same farm.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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 • forthe protection of the aquatic environment Alsoit undertakes relevant research, including oceanography

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.