Aquaculture Concession Fees Soon Scaled Down

Value date, 22 sites, the majority located on the east coast have been identified for aquaculture projects. Other sites will be added soon to this list with the planned amendments to the existing legal structure. Similarly, the list of species established, which currently includes eight species, will be expanded.

" Other high value species may also be proposed and will be considered by the relevant Mauritian authorities. Integrated projects combining a variety of species on the same site can also be considered ", mentions a document from the Board of Investment.

According to a recent study conducted by the Ministry of Fisheries, Mauritius has the necessary resources for the development of commercial aquaculture. "The annual fish production is currently 29,000 tons. In the long term, it is expected to reach 39,000 tons, "said the ministry.

The preferential access enjoyed by Mauritius for 'seafood products' on the market of the European Union and the United States under the Economic-EPA Partnership and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is also seen as a positive asset.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aquaculture is expected to improve food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, generate economic growth and better use of resources.

"Aquaculture is still the food production sector, which is growing fastest, representing at present nearly 50% of food fish in the world," says FOA.