"The Portuguese fishermen are fishing the same as other Europeans, but the Portuguese consume three times more fish", said the Minister at the opening of the Great Sea Conference, organized by the Daily News.
Aquaculture has been poorly developed in portugal, representing only three per cent of consumption, compared to 30 per cent in Europe and 50 per cent worldwide. Despite the poor growth, it has been found that it is possible to double production by 2015.
"We can not produce everything, but we can produce species such as clams and oysters."
Assumption Ridges added that this activity will be facilitated by the new law on maritime spatial planning and the streamlining of licensing. It was also stressed that there is a growing interest of investors, but a lack of capacity to mobilise funds for this activity.
"We must find anchor projects in areas such as aquaculture, energy and blue biotechnology, among other strategic areas of the economy of the sea," he concluded.
Portugal Wants to Double Aquaculture Production by 2015
PORTUGAL - The Minister of Agriculture, Sea, Environment and Spatial Planning, said that Portugal can double its aquaculture production by 2015, in order to meet local fish consumption demand which is three times the European average.
by Lucy Towers
