Aquaculture, i.e. the production of fish, molluscs and crustaceans in man-controlled environments, is a rapidly growing sector especially in the Mediterranean basin. “Thanks to European Funds, Aquaculture 2.0 is encouraged, characterized by energy saving, environmental sustainability and food safety – says Dario Cartabellotta, General Manager of the Regional Department of Fisheries of the Sicilian Regional Agriculture Department – Fish proteins have a very high biological value and lower environmental impact compared to other breeding systems.The aquaculture product combines these characteristics and offers guarantees of quality and taste to consumers.To date, the Italian import of the aquaculture product from the Mediterranean basin (Turkey, Greece, etc.) is 4 billion euros. The potential of Sicily is very high both for mariculture and for rural aquaculture in inland areas, where farmers also become fish breeders. All that remains is to exploit them fully”.
Today in Sicily there are 5 aquaculture farms in marine waters (Acqua Azzurra of Pachino; Acquacoltura Lampedusa; Ittica San Giorgio of Licata; Gruppo del pesce of Trapani; Sicilittica of Licata) and 6 aquaculture farms in inland waters (Agroittica Macrostigma of Rosolini; Trout of Palazzolo Acreide; Contino of Caronia; Sirio Impianti of Sinagra; Salvo of Fiumefreddo of Sicily; Porrazzito of Acate). Sicilian shellfish farming is represented by two plants operating in the Province of Syracuse and two plants in the Province of Messina, dedicated almost exclusively to the relaying of mussels, therefore not properly attributable to farming plants.
