Government Contacts & Information Resources for
Commercial Fishing, Seafood, Aquaculture, Marine & Oceans in Cyprus

 

Commercial Fishing & Aquaculture in Cyprus:

In 2013, the Cypriot fishing fleet comprised 894 vessels, with a combined grossed tonnage of 3 500. For the same year, the total volume of seafood landings achieved by the Cypriot fleet was around 900 tonnes, and its total value amounted to EUR 5.3 million.

Aquaculture is also a very important activity: it constitutes between 80% and 85%, in terms of both value and volume, of the total national fisheries production. At the same time, aquaculture delivers socio-economic benefits to the coastal communities by offering important employment that contributes to the local income.

The aquaculture sector has nine marine offshore farms and seven inland farms (located in Troodos mountain), as well as three marine fish hatcheries, one shrimp hatchery and two other inland units culturing ornamental fish.

The main cultured marine species are sea bream, sea bass and meagre, and in fresh water aquaculture, rainbow trout and sturgeon.

 

Commercial Fish | Seafood Species in Cyprus

The main seafood | Fish produced in Cyprus is sea bass and sea bream, other fish species include dentex, red sea bream, red porgy, spinefoot, drum and pandora.

 

Department of Fisheries and Marine Research
The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research in Cyprus has a wide range of activities including:

Research Programs for the calculation of the fish stocks and rational management of fishery resources.

Fisheries development through various programs, loans, subsidies, insurance of fishing vessels, personnel training etc.

Modernization of fishing technology, through programs of technical guidance and assistance to fishermen, fishing education, introduction of new fishing methods, etc.

Development of fisheries in international areas through various projects.

Research for further development of aquaculture (in the sea mainly), through various research programs.
Management of fish stocks of dams for leisure fishing purposes.

Construction, maintenance and management of fishing shelters and fishing ports.

Monitoring, prevention, control and combat of marine pollution.

Marine biological and ecological research on conservation and protection of marine ecosystems and endangered species.

Implementation of legislation on fisheries, aquaculture and fishing shelters.

Licensing for professional and amateur fishing at sea and in the dams. Licensing for the establishment/operation of fish farms.

Management of the Cyprus Register of fishing vessels in accordance with EU regulations.

 

General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean - Consisting of 22 Member countries along with the European Community, the GFCM’s objectives are to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and connecting waters. Membership is open to both Mediterranean coastal states and regional economic organizations as well as to United Nations member states whose vessels engage in fishing in Mediterranean waters.

 

Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile for Cyprus - aquatic species caught by country or area, by species items, by FAO major fishing areas, and year, for all commercial, industrial, recreational and subsistence purposes. The harvest from mariculture, aquaculture and other kinds of fish farming is also included.

 

 

Cyprus has a Coastline of 782 km.

 

Commercial harbours in Cyprus: Larnaca and Limassol. Fishing shelters: Agia Triada, Paralimni, Agia Napa and Potamos Liopetri (in Famagusta area), Xylofagou, Ormidia, Xylotymbou, Larnaca and Zygi (in Larnaca area), Limassol old port and Akrotiri (in Limassol area), Agios Georgios Pegias and Pomos (in Pafos area), Kato Pyrgos (in Nicosia area).

 

AQUASTAT is FAO's global information system on water and agriculture developed by the Land and Water Division. It collects, analyses and disseminates data and information by country and by region. Its aim is to provide users interested in global, regional and national analyses with comprehensive information related to water resources and agricultural water management across the world, with emphasis on countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Information for Cyprus

 

Federation of European Aquaculture Producers - The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) is an international organisation that is composed of the National Aquaculture Associations of European countries. The basic aims of the Federation are: * to develop and establish a common policy on questions relating to the production and the commercialisation of aquaculture species are reared professionally. * to make known to the appropriate authorities the common policies envisaged above.

 

Ocean Health Index Cyprus - The Ocean Health Index is a valuable tool for the ongoing assessment of ocean health. By providing a means to advance comprehensive ocean policy and compare future progress, the Index can inform decisions about how to use or protect marine ecosystems. The Index is a collaborative effort, made possible through contributions from more than 65 scientists/ocean experts and partnerships between organizations including the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Sea Around Us, Conservation International, National Geographic, and the New England Aquarium. Information for Cyprus