The Andalusian marine aquaculture production totalled 10,673 tonnes in 2015, almost double that from the previous year, when it produced 5,831 tonnes. According to theBoard of Andalucia, this figure shows the sector is meeting the objectives of theAndalusian Strategy for the Development of Marine Aquaculture for 2014-2020, which envisages a three-fold growth in production in this period.

The Andalusian government explains that this remarkable increase is due mainly to the fact that the aquaculture industry has almost doubled yields of the most dominant species so far: sea bream, sea bass, tuna, mussels and even shrimp.

Also in 2015, the Andalusian aquaculture sold 10,671 tonnes of the products obtained in the fattening stage, generating EUR 61 million, which adds to another EUR 5.6 million of units produced in the hatchery phases (hatchery or breeding) and the nursery one (pre-fattening or seedlings).

Fish production is the most important activity of marine aquaculture, which also highlights that of molluscs, crustaceans and other species such as microalgae.

Last year, fish production accounted for 75 per cent of the total tonnage sold and 94 per cent of economic value. In second place, the molluscs are located, with a production of 22 per cent, and crustaceans with 2.21 per cent. Algae represent only 0.06 per cent of the tonnage, but 1.16 per cent of the regional aquaculture billing.

Source: FIS // Original Article