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Speech by Dr Francis Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, during a Mariculture Offshore International two-day Conference organised by the Society for Underwater Technology and the Greenwich Forum as part of the World Food Day celebrations. |
Date:
11/10/2006
I am honoured to address such a distinguished gathering from all over the world and whilst extending a warm welcome to Malta I thank you all for coming here. Particular thanks go to the sponsors of this event and to the Society for Underwater Technology of the UK for their initiative, hard work and excellent organisation and above all their faith in our country. I am told that this is to some extent another milestone following the conference which was held in Limerick, Ireland some two years ago. Malta is proud to host you all and to actively participate in any follow up activities.
Although the contribution of the Fisheries sector to Malta’s GDP has traditionally been very low, its importance is reflected in many ways such as the sustainability of fishing communities which serve as tourist attractions and so on.
Traditionally Maltese fisheries have been oriented towards coastal fishing with the main species caught being the large pelagic species the swordfish and tuna which are caught by the longline method and the coryphenes which are caught by the traditional “kannizzati” method which is a type of FAD or Fish Aggregating Device.
Developing aquaculture is normally considered an important economic activity in view of the declining wild fish catches. However like any new industry, such a development is fraught with teething problems and consequently higher than normal risks. It is therefore vital to identify all possible bottlenecks and develop the appropriate strategies accordingly.
During the last twenty years, aquaculture of marine species has developed at an accelerated pace. This is largely due to the progress achieved in the reproduction technology of sea bream and sea bass in the first place and subsequently in that of other species. At present about fifty species of marine origin are being reproduced artificially in hatcheries on a commercial scale. This includes several species of groupers, snappers, breams and others.
There has also been considerable progress in the technology of fattening of marine species. Of particular relevance to Malta is the remarkable progress achieved in cage culture in open waters. Islands are normally exposed to rough weather and therefore fattening in offshore floating cages has opened new frontiers for fish production which could benefit island economies to a considerable extent.
Exposed site fish farming offers the advantage of minimising the risks of environmental contamination. Open waters ensure rapid dispersal of wastes and render such developments sustainable in the long term. It also ties in with social traditions since islands normally have long traditions of maritime activities. It therefore offers a unique opportunity to develop a new economic activity which in most islands is second only to tourism.
Realising this potential the Maltese Government in 1989 set up the National Aquaculture Centre a Research and Development Centre for Aquaculture development. In addition the Maltese government has actively participated in regional and international activities since the 70’s. Indeed it has assumed lead roles in several initiatives by international agencies such as the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations and in recent years the EU.
Attempts to set up commercial scale fish and shellfish farms in the years prior to the 80’s failed either due to lack of appropriate expertise, lack of land availability, lack of availability of inshore sheltered sea, oligotrophicity (that is low nutrients and therefore low productivity) of the coastal waters which wrote off any hopes for a sizeable shellfish enterprise and in 1973 an outbreak of cholera in neighbouring countries closed down a fledgling mussel producing industry.
When finally the time was ripe to embark on commercial aquaculture in Malta, the Maltese government adopted a two pronged approach, viz., establishing an R&D facility to underpin the commercial developments with the appropriate data base collation, research and personnel training and setting up an investment climate for investors (foreign and local alike) and
The National Aquaculture Centre which was set up in 1989 and consisted of an experimental tilapia hatchery, an experimental sea bass/bream hatchery, an experimental inshore cage culture unit, laboratories for pathology and water quality analysis and training and conference facilities.
On matters of national policy relating to the development of a sustainable export-oriented industry, numerous issues had to be addressed.
1. IDENTIFYING OBJECTIVES PARTICULARLY MARKETS
Small islands like Malta inevitably have relatively small local markets even though these may need to supply significant tourist demand. Therefore export may offer the only viable option. It is imperative therefore that in such cases this industrial activity is geared directly for export with priorities set for international quality standards of the product, securing regular product consignments (this may be difficult with small farm units and in the case of exposed site fish farming) and overcoming trade barriers such as the 15% tax on sea bass and sea bream exports to the European Union such as was the case for Malta prior to membership.
2. IDENTIFYING APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
In countries where tourism is likely to be one of the pillars of the economy and with possibly a number of other users such as shipping putting pressure on the coastal zone, the offshore option may be the only one and indeed it may not be advisable to pursue land consuming options such as shrimp pond farming.
3. IDENTIFYING ASSETS
Profitability of the fish farming activities depends on capitalising on natural and other assets. For example countries with warm waters have a significant edge with winter temperatures ensuring year round growth and therefore lower production costs.
The availability of favourable fiscal policies could also play a determining role. For instance in some countries aquaculture is classed under manufacturing industry and therefore benefits from incentives such as a 10-year tax free holiday on profits, subsidised rents on premises and training grants. The European Union has also been instrumental in promoting fish farming activity throughout Europe through subsidies, training and other forms of assistance.
Proximity to the main markets (in the case of Malta, the European Union market) is also an important asset. This is particularly important in the case of perishable goods since the relatively short journey ensures that the product arrives fresh.
4. IDENTIFYING LIMITATIONS
In some countries there is a lack of specialised human resources such as senior managers, biologists and pathologists, of certain services such as heavy marine equipment, as well as some of the materials required such as feeds, chemicals and antibiotics may not be available and will therefore have to be imported at higher than average costs.
Given these considerations, the Maltese government issued the first operating license for an offshore cage farm to a company called P2M in 1991. At the time it was without doubt the most exposed sea cage farm in existence in the Mediterranean and high hopes were mixed with scepticism. Needless to say the risks were enormous but combining a good base of local knowledge of our sea with experienced staff from northern Europe and the willingness of the investors it went successfully and paved the way for rapid expansion and strengthening of the belief that cage farming in exposed waters could work profitably.
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
It is important that any Government has a clear overall policy to guide aquaculture investment, both in terms of planning and assistance, be it in kind, direct financing or incentives such as tax holidays. It should also have a good aquaculture plan that facilitates decision making within a reasonable time frame. As well as providing necessary support and trained personnel, it should also firmly control the industry to ensure its development in conformity with international market trends and trade practices.
In conclusion, it is important to note that only the combination of the best existing technology with the specific local conditions will ensure the long-term sustainability of such an activity as is aquaculture which in most instances is developed in sensitive ecosystems.
I know you have clear targets you want to achieve during your deliberations here and without further ado I declare this international conference open and wish you all every success.
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