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Secretary Juan C. Martín Fragueiro at the inaugural ceremony of the XII National Aquaculture Congress. (Photo: MARM)
Aquaculture generated over EUR 400 mln in 2008
SPAIN
Friday, November 27, 2009, 03:40 (GMT + 9)
Spanish aquaculture production in 2008 surpassed 265,000 tonnes, with a value of over EUR 400 million. Of the total produced, 90 per cent consisted of marine aquaculture, and the rest of inland aquaculture -- mainly trout.
These figures highlight the growing importance of this economic activity for Spain, said the general secretary of the sea, Juan Carlos Martín Fragueiro,during the inauguration of the XII National Congress of Aquaculture.
He also emphasized that the activities guarantee the supply of fish to markets and consumers, generate income and create good employment opportunities.
In the ceremony, which took place in Madrid, Martín Fragueiro also mentioned “the definitive take-off” of aquaculture on a global scale, owed to the “growing and progressive” increase in the consumption of fish.
In accordance with the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Maritime Affairs (MARM), the General Secretary of the Sea will boost the image of aquaculture through the benefits which its products benefit health and nutrition, under the slogan “with aquaculture, we better your health.”
The news from the General Secretary of the Sea added emphasis to the importance of the National Plans for Marine Cultivation, which has been financed by MARM through the National Advisory Board on Marine Cultivation (JACUMAR) for over 20 years, as a tool for the implementation of science and innovation in the aquaculture sector.
Eurostat has informed that the contribution which aquaculture has on total seafood production in the European Union (EU) has grown from 18 per cent to 20 per cent between 2004 and 2007.
Spain was the main aquaculture producer with 284,982 tonnes, which represents 22 per cent of total aquaculture production in Europe in 2007. In second place was France, with 237,451 tonnes, followed by Italy, with 180,988 tonnes.
Spain produced 217,775 tonnes of mollusks, 67,060 tonnes of fish, 122 tonnes of crustaceans and 25 tonnes of seaweed.
Related article:
- Aquaculture makes up 20 pct of Europe's fish production
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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