The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is responsible for co-financing these grants.
Junta de Andalucía
The regional government of Andalusia in Spain, Junta de Andalucía, has confirmed an extension of up to €7.6 million for its aid program for productive investments in aquaculture.
During his visit to the Andalusia Aquaculture Technology Centre (CTAQUA) in El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz), the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, detailed: "This is a significant increase compared to the initial €2.2 million, reinforcing our commitment to the blue economy."
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is responsible for co-financing these grants, which are complemented by €10.5 million for transformation and commercialization, and €2.5 million for projects from the Local Action Groups in the sector.
"With this expansion, we aim to provide a direct response to the sector's needs, support the modernization of aquaculture operations, and continue strengthening a sustainable, innovative, and job-generating production model along the Andalusian coastline," emphasized Fernández-Pacheco.
CTAQUA has been promoting aquaculture and marine foods for over 17 years through research, innovation, and technological development.
The center works in areas such as aquaculture species nutrition and feeding, animal health and welfare, cultivation of new species and macroalgae, environmental sustainability, and the development of new marine products.
"All of this work is carried out with a clear social, environmental, and business commitment, positioning CTAQUA as a reference not only regionally but also nationally and across Europe," the minister stressed.
According to the Junta, aquaculture in Andalusia represents a growing sector, with an annual production close to 8,000 tons and an estimated economic value of €70 million. Additionally, in recent years, there has been a strong push for the production of seriola.
