A doubling of fish production by 2020 and a consequent reduction of imports are the twin goals of the 'Aquaculture +' programme presented by minister Ana Paula Vitorino on a visit to Aveiro.
The Minister for the Sea and all things fishy presented a new package of measures for aquaculture and hopes the €80 million to be made available will attract an equivalent sum of private investment.
"The goal is to reduce imports of fish and boost the aquaculture sector which currently produces 10 thousand tons.
"If we can't farm cod and sardines, at least it is possible to develop other species in captivity which can replace some of the fish we currently import," said the minister.
Despite the potential of Portugal’s vast sea areas and the clear market opportunities with European Union where members import 65% of their fish, Portugal can grow this sector but often is hampered by EU fish quotas.
The current fish farming procedure is complex with three licenses needed. The Minister of the Presidency and for Administrative Modernisation, Maria Manuel Leitão Marques, is going for a single license system - "promptness and efficiency at every stage of the process" promises Ana Paula Vitorino.
Location of fish farms still can be hampered by local council involvement, according to producers, with Albufeira council recently objecting to a license for an operator wanting to set up a fish farm in the sea not far from Albufeira’s beaches.
The huge Olhão fish farms have limited the sea areas in which artisan fishermen can operate but the sea is a big place and any profitable growth that reduces imports is to be welcomed.
Shoppers could make an equally big difference by reading the labels denoting country of origin and ‘buying Portuguese.’
Some imported fish and shellfish carry thousands of air-miles – the supermarkets say they ‘offer choice’ but this choice has a damaging effect on the balance of payments which shows that Portugal continues to import half of its annual fish consumption.
