Industry must move offshore, conference hears

MALTA - Offshore fish farming is the only viable option for meeting an increased demand for global seafood production, delegates at the Offshore Mariculture conference heard today.

And governments must support the industry's development, a leading Maltese official said.

Opening the conference, Hon. Francis Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries in Malta's Ministry of Rural Affairs and Environment, gave an overview of the development of aquaculture in Malta.

As Malta prepares to advance offshore fish farming, he said it is vital that the Government supports the industry. Any government should have a clear overall policy to guide aquaculture investment, he said. Furthermore, a national aquaculture plan must facilitate decision making within reasonable time frames.

Source: Fishupdate