Cooperative Union for Fish Resources

Expected production under prevailing conditions:

In light of the fish production statistics issued by the Authority, the average annual production from the Mediterranean Sea during the ten years from 1994 to 2003 is estimated at approximately 57,000 tons, and production in 2003 was estimated at approximately 47,000 tons, which is less than the average production during the previous period. Given the factors affecting the sustainability of Mediterranean fisheries, annual production can be estimated at around 50,000 tons, provided that all the protective measures discussed above are implemented

Development potential:

The development potential of Mediterranean fisheries is limited to the exploitation of unexploited areas in:

A. The continental shelf: Previous studies conducted by the Italian exploration mission Sopal in the early 1980s indicate the potential for catching around 20,000 tons of demersal fish and 40,000 tons of surface fish, but these estimates need to be confirmed through recent studies and surveys using modern methods that are not available locally.

B. The western region: This is an unexploited area, and there are preliminary indications based on the similarity in fertility between the Gulf of Salloum and the Gulf of Sirte in Libya that commercial fish stocks may be available in the region.

C. Regulating fishing along the Mediterranean coast and encouraging the establishment of marine hatcheries for sea bream and sea bass, developing fishing ports and landing sites,

and preparing a feasibility study for the establishment of a fishing port in Marsa Matruh.

D. Encouraging investors to breed and fatten tuna in cages until they reach weights of 500-600 kg, which is the appropriate weight for export, based on the presence of these fish in the Gulf of Salloum in sizes ranging from 15-20 kg per fish, which are not suitable weights for export.

E. Preparing maps of sites suitable for fish farming for exploitation by the private sector.

Implementation mechanism

1- For the continental shelf: Contact the authorities responsible for fisheries in the European Union and the Italian government to assist in conducting studies and exploratory surveys of this area.

2- For the western region: The Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries shall conduct studies to help assess the size of fish stocks in this region, as well as exploratory research in the field of fish farming and tuna breeding.