VALLETTA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Maltese government on Tuesday launched a new project to promote the diversification of fish species in aquaculture.
Alicia Bugeja Said, parliamentary secretary for fisheries, aquaculture and animal rights, said the project will focus on the introduction of two new species in local aquaculture: the Greater Amberjack (Seriola Dumerili) and the Red Porgy (Pagrus Pagrus).
The project, which is co-financed by European funds, is being carried out by the Aquatic Resources Malta Agency in its laboratory.
Bugeja Said explained that the main objective of the project is to help strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Maltese aquaculture, through research and innovation in areas such as reproduction, breeding, nutrition and fish health.
"The work being done not only prepares the industry for global competition but also ensures that Malta remains among the countries that are investing in advanced research for fish production through more efficient and sustainable methods," Bugeja Said explained.
Frank Fabri, chief executive officer of the Aquatic Resources Malta Agency, said that the project started with a call of interest addressed to fishermen. Those who responded were asked to collect samples of these two fish species between September and October last year.
The samples were placed in quarantine until they reached an appropriate size, before being transferred to special tanks so that the first phase of the reproduction process could take place, Fabri said. ■
