CYPRUS NATIONAL AQUACULTURE SECTOR OVERVIEW Split, 2005

HISTORY AND GENERAL OVERVIEW 1969  Experimental Freshwater Fish Culture Station at Kalopanayiotis (Troodos mountain) was constructed for the development of trout farming  First private commercial trout farms started to operate  6 private small trout farms 1 farm for the culture of ornamental fish 1 farm for the culture of ornamental fish Freshwater Aquaculture  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 1972  Marine Research Station at Gastria, Famagusta. In 1974 the government lost access to the Station  Small hatchery for the experimental reproduction of marine fish, in Paphos harbour. Marine Aquaculture 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  First marine fish fattening unit, which used land based coastal installations, producing seabream and seabass  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  3 Hatcheries, producing seabream and seabass fry 5 fish fattening unit producing seabream and seabass 5 fish fattening unit producing seabream and seabass 1 culture/fattening unit of bluefin tuna 1 culture/fattening unit of bluefin tuna 1 shrimp hatchery/farm on land 1 shrimp hatchery/farm on land

HISTORY AND GENERAL OVERVIEW Marine Aquaculture  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 meters and with a distance of 3 km at least between them.  The marine fish hatcheries operate on an intensive basis in coastal regions and they are using a flow through system.

LEGEND Cage farms Hatcheries Shrimp farm Trout farms Cyprus Aquaculture

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) (table size fish and fry) Species Table size (tons) Value ($) Fish Fry/Shrimp Larvae No. Value ($) Seabream13564,265,5008,457,800817,841 Seabass6982,471,2007,498,000735,760 Indian Shrimp ,400800,000 * (see footnote) Trout91299,884438,0009,660 Tuna13709,545, TOTAL 3, ,688,48417,193,8001,563,261 * The shrimp larvae produced is used only for stocking in the same farm.

PRODUCTION Table 2: Aquaculture production for 2004 KIND OF CULTURE QUANTITYVALUEC£ MARINE AQUACULTURE TABLE FISH SOLD LOCALLY tons 4,171,000 MARINE AQUACULTURE EXPORTED TABLE FISH tons 12,111,200 SHRIMP CULTURE 15.2 tons 106,400 TROUT AQUACULTURE SOLD LOCALLY 91 tons 299,884 TOTAL FISH / SHRIMP 3, tons 16,688,484 MARINE AQUACULTURE FRY EXPORTED 7,560,000756,000 MARINE AQUACULTURE FRY USED LOCALLY 8,395,800797,601 SHRIMP LARVAE USED LOCALLY 800,000 * (see footnote) FRESH WATER AQUACULTURE FRY USED LOCALLY 438,0009,660 TOTAL FRY/LARVAE 17,193,8001,563,261 GRAND TOTAL AQUACULTURE 18,251,745 * The shrimp larvae produced is used only for stocking in the same farm.

HUMAN RESOURCES MENWOMEN Full-time employment Part-time employment Full-time employment Part-time employment Production Administration Marketing17010 Total TOTAL14821 Table 3: Cyprus Employment in Marine Aquaculture sector 2004  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.

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%.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%.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.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).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: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

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 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.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 tariff quotas were established for seabream, seabass and sharpsnout bream fry as well as for the table size fish of the above species.During tariff quotas were established for seabream, seabass and sharpsnout bream fry as well as for the table size fish of the above species. DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND MARINE RESEARCH (DFMR)

GOVERNING REGULATIONS Aquaculture Law 2000, amended 2002Aquaculture Law 2000, amended 2002 Aquaculture (General) Regulations 2002, amended 2003Aquaculture (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.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 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 productsLaws and relative Regulations, regarding the health conditions for the production and marketing of fisheries products

FUTURE STRATEGY FOR THE FISHERIES SECTOR  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. Strategic Development Plan

 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

FUTURE STRATEGY FOR THE FISHERIES SECTOR Strategic Development Plan Additionally: Cyprus, being predominantly a tourist destination, is very conscious regarding environmental aspects.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.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.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.The culture of new species that are lower in the food chain is promoted by Cyprus and priority is given in culturing such species.