The Remarkable Growth of Tunisia’s Aquaculture Sector
Tunisia’s aquaculture production has experienced a dramatic surge, growing from 3,400 tons in 2007 to over 21,000 tons in 2020—a sixfold increase. Situated at the crossroads of Africa and the Mediterranean, Tunisia is gradually establishing itself as a key player in the global aquaculture industry. Over the past three decades, the country’s seafood farming sector has evolved from a fledgling industry into a thriving economic force, with production reaching 21,000 tons in 2022. This accounts for 13% of the national fisheries output, valued at 335 million Tunisian dinars annually.
European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) dominate Tunisia’s aquaculture, making up approximately 96% of total production. Other marine species include Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), raised for fattening, and Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), predominantly farmed in the Bizerte Lagoon. Mussel production, however, remains inconsistent, ranging from 40 to 200 tons per year. Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is also farmed but remains at the pilot stage, with a modest production capacity of 2 tons annually. In freshwater aquaculture, notable species include common carp (Cyprinus carpio), grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), and zander (Sander lucioperca), among others.
Growth, Innovation, and Resilience
This is more than just a story of growth; it is a tale of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to sustainability. The journey of Tunisian aquaculture began modestly in the 1960s with freshwater fish farms and experimental marine hatcheries as the sector’s first steps. By the mid-1980s, Tunisia had ventured into commercial aquaculture, introducing farms for sea bass and sea bream. However, the early projects faced significant challenges, such as environmental issues like eutrophication, forcing many farms to scale back operations.
It wasn’t until 2007 that Tunisia truly took off. The introduction of offshore floating cages revolutionized production, enabling farms to rear fish in open waters. Today, Tunisia boasts a diverse aquaculture portfolio, including sea bass, sea bream, mussels, shrimp, and even seaweed.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Despite impressive growth, challenges remain. Tunisia is heavily reliant on imports, with 50% of fish feed and 80 million fry sourced from abroad. Efforts are underway to strengthen local production, including the establishment of fish feed factories and hatcheries, though progress has been gradual. Other obstacles include maintaining competitive pricing and managing disease outbreaks. Yet, industry leaders remain optimistic. Recently, a Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson announced a roadmap for the future, stating, “The future looks promising.”
In recent years, sustainability has taken center stage. Tunisia has embraced Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), a cutting-edge approach that mimics natural ecosystems by farming fish alongside seaweed and shellfish. This not only reduces environmental impact but also improves resource efficiency—an essential step in meeting the growing global demand for sustainable seafood. Additionally, Tunisia has adopted international certification standards, such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), to ensure its products meet the highest quality and sustainability criteria.
A Vision for 2030
The Tunisian government has set ambitious goals. By 2030, aquaculture is expected to account for 30% of national fish production, driven by strategic investments, innovative techniques, and the introduction of new species. The sector currently employs 3,000 workers, ranging from divers to engineers, and continues to attract private investment.
For a country often overshadowed by its neighbors in economic headlines, Tunisia’s aquaculture sector is quietly making waves. This is a story of transformation and tenacity, a reminder that even the smallest fish can make a big splash.
Source: Kapitalis
