Malta: the state of the art of mariculture in the center of the Mediterranean Sea
A compact, investor-friendly mariculture ecosystem where EU support, applied research, hatcheries, species diversification, and established tuna on-growing converge, balancing environmental sensitivities with practical steps toward sustainable growth.
Why is Malta an attractive platform for mariculture?
Malta offers an unusually complete set of enablers for marine aquaculture: clearly defined aquaculture zones, a permitting system aligned with EU standards, a long-established operational base in offshore cage farming, and fast logistics to European fresh fish markets. Industry, research institutions, and regulators interact frequently, reducing the time needed to validate new techniques or introduce new species. This creates a predictable environment where companies can scale production of seabream, seabass, and emerging species while maintaining stable export routes to Italy, Spain, and Asia.
Which companies drive Malta’s marine aquaculture sector?
The bluefin tuna on-growing segment is led by AJD Tuna Ltd / Azzopardi Tuna Group, Fish & Fish Ltd, Mare Blu Tuna Farm Ltd, and Ta’ Mattew Fisheries Ltd, operating mainly within the North and South Aquaculture Zones.
Closed-cycle farming of seabream, seabass, and meagre is carried out by dedicated operators located nearshore at Mistra Bay, St Paul’s Bay, Mellieha, and Xrobb l-Ghagin.
The circular economy segment is represented by Aquaculture Resources Ltd (ARL), which processes raw tuna by-products into fishmeal and fish oil, providing a critical waste-management and sustainability function for the entire sector.
How important is the bluefin tuna’s on-growing?
Bluefin tuna on-growing remains Malta’s highest-value aquaculture segment. Operators capture wild adult fish in the central Mediterranean during May–June and transfer them to sea pens in Maltese waters. Here they are fattened for about six months, gaining roughly 30 percent in body weight before harvest. Exports are directed primarily to Japan, with smaller volumes reaching South Korea and China.
Annual production depends on ICCAT quotas, environmental permits, and available biomass, but Malta remains one of the Mediterranean’s leading hubs for capture-based tuna aquaculture.
How does closed-cycle production of seabream, seabass, and meagre operate?
Closed-cycle species (CCS) such as seabream, seabass, and meagre are cultured from hatchery-produced eggs. Fingerlings are imported from hatcheries in Italy and France. These species are grown in offshore cages using manufactured feed and harvested for export mainly to Italian and Spanish markets.
The CCS segment complements tuna farming by offering year-round production, predictable planning, and access to fresh seafood supply chains in Europe.
Which new species are being developed in Malta?
Malta is investing in diversification through EU-supported initiatives such as the national Species Diversification for Maltese Aquaculture programme.
Current species under development include:
- Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) with closed-cycle breeding work in progress.
- Red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) integrated in diversification trials.
- White seabream (Diplodus sargus) in experimental culture.
These projects aim to reduce dependency on the two traditional species and expand Malta’s product portfolio toward high-value Mediterranean finfish.
How does the circular economy model support the sector?
Malta hosts a dedicated facility in Ħal Far, operated by Aquaculture Resources Ltd (ARL), which processes approximately 6,000 tonnes of tuna by-products annually (about 73 percent of national by-product output). The plant produces around 450 tonnes of fishmeal and 550 tonnes of fish oil, mostly destined for the pet food and aquafeed industries.
This system reduces the amount of organic waste that would otherwise enter the marine environment, strengthens compliance with environmental regulations, and supports a more circular aquaculture economy.
What research and innovation capacities support mariculture growth?
The Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences (MCFS) and the University of Malta conduct applied research in fish health, nutrition, broodstock management, environmental monitoring, and new species development.
The Waste2Taste project (2024–2027) focuses specifically on valorizing fish processing by-products, including tuna parts, to develop high-value food applications.
The newly established Aquatic Resources Malta (ARM) coordinates national R&D and data collection, supporting evidence-based decisions and industry-oriented innovation.
How does environmental management shape sector development?
Environmental regulation is handled by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), which issues permits, monitors water quality, and requires management plans for cage sites. Ongoing improvements include relocating cages further offshore, tighter feed and biomass control, and standardized handling of mortalities and effluents.
Malta’s environmental governance framework aligns with EU policies, aiming to balance industrial development with responsible coastal and marine management.
What is the overall opportunity for investors?
Malta combines operational experience, export infrastructure, applied research, and regulatory clarity. Growth opportunities include scaling closed-cycle production, advancing amberjack and other diversified species, and expanding value addition through improved by-product processing.
The island’s compact mariculture ecosystem reduces the distance between research, industry, and regulators, creating favorable conditions for investment in offshore aquaculture, circular economy innovations, and new species development.
What funding and grants are available to develop aquaculture in Malta?
The main funding opportunity is the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027, which for Malta has a total allocation of approximately €31.2 million, of which about €21.8 million is EU-funded.
The EMFAF supports sustainable aquaculture activities, processing and marketing of aquaculture products, circular-blue economy actions, and diversification of species.
Typically, grants can cover up to 70% of eligible costs for enterprises and research organisations.
In Malta, the national managing authority (Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta / SEM) and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) project unit administer calls and aid schemes linked to EMFAF and other national funds.
For an aquaculture company or consortium in Malta, the key actionable steps are: check the open calls via SEM’s portal, align your project with diversification of species, circularity (e.g., processing of by-products), and value-chain upgrade, and build your budget so that a 70% grant share is realistic.
References
- FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Country Profile: Malta (2023).
- ERA – Environment and Resources Authority, Aquaculture Permits (2024).
- ICCAT National Farming Reports (2024).
- Aquaculture Resources Ltd., by-product processing data (2024).
- University of Malta, “Waste2Taste” Project Documentation (2024–2027).
- Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences (MCFS), Technical Briefings.
- National Statistics Office (NSO) – Malta’s official statistical agency, providing national data on economic and social sectors and coordinating nationwide statistical activities.
Malta: the state of the art of mariculture in the center of the Mediterranean Sea
