Photo: Flatlantic

Aquaculture in Portugal to receive €22.8 million under MAR 2030 programme

PORTUGAL
Thursday, August 15, 2024, 18:00 (GMT + 9)

Portugal ‘ideally placed to become world leader in aquaculture sector’

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, announced that a notice for €22.8 million euros is underway under the Mar 2030 programme to support aquaculture and research in the sector.

At the end of a visit to the facilities of Flatlantic – a flatfish production unit aiming to become a ‘world leader’ , Mr Fernandes said: “Obviously we want to support the best projects and those that are also in line with our objectives: not only economic but also environmental”.

Accompanied by the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar, the minister took the opportunity to highlight the role of Flatlantic – Seastainable Flatfish Village.(formerly Acuinova Portugal)

“We have an excellent example here, which contributes not only to wealth creation, but also to employment. We have more than 190 people working here, with master’s degrees and doctorates, where there is also research and innovation”, he said.

In Fernandes’ opinion, the unit also contributes to the objective of the European Union’s own strategic autonomy, which as a whole “produces only 1% of the world’s aquaculture”.

In other words, the only way is ‘up’

“For every 3,000 tonnes we consume in the European Union, there are 2,000 that we import, so even in Portugal, we have a deficit of more than 200 tonnes per year in terms of the fishing sector (…)  As a country that has this brutal (meaning large) exclusive economic zone, this sea that has this capacity and (with) funds available for this objective: we must take advantage of these opportunities”, he insisted

According to José Manuel Fernandes, aquaculture “is much more than fish.

“It is territorial cohesion, research, innovation and industry, transformation, wealth creation and added value. And the proof is that we have a hatchery here, for example, which means that this company (Flatlantic) aims to be a world leader”.

Flatlantic to invest another €20 million over next two years

Taking the opportunity of today’s visit by the minister and secretary of state, Flatlantic  director Miguel Lucas confirmed the company’s “growth ambition: to go from producing approximately 3,000 tonnes of turbot to 6,000 tonnes and 10,000 tonnes of sole.

“We’re making major investments” that will see not only the expansion of flatfish production but increase the number of employees,” he said.

“We currently have 194 people working with us. When the expansion is realised, we should have more than 450”.

Flatlantic’s market is mainly for European Union countries, around 10 to 20% for Portugal and the rest for export. 

“We want to be world leaders in flatfish production. Hence the name Flatlantic,’ he reiterated.

The company has already invested €40 million in this project. The subsequent €20 million is due to be invested within the next two years.

Source material: LUSA/ Agroportal

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