in-cyprus 5 October 2024
Cyprus inaugurated two floating structures featuring innovative fish feeding systems for offshore aquaculture on Saturday, marking an advancement in the island’s fish farming industry.
Dr Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, and Marina Hadjimanolis, Deputy Minister of Shipping, unveiled the new facilities operated by the company Levantina Fish in the Vasiliko marine area.
The automated feeding system, described by Panayiotou as “unique in Cyprus”, was implemented with support from the Sea and Fisheries Fund and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“This system is more efficient in terms of time and quantities, which are simultaneously provided and channelled to the fish cages for feeding,” Minister Panayiotou said.
She emphasised the importance of continued financial support for the aquaculture sector, noting it is currently the third largest export product in Cyprus’s primary sector.
Deputy Minister Hadjimanolis expressed pride in the Cypriot company’s achievement, stating, “After 35 years, a Cypriot company has managed to pioneer innovative ideas and distinguish itself internationally, placing Cyprus at the forefront of aquaculture countries worldwide.”
Antonis Kimonides, the owner of the facility, detailed the advanced features of the new feeding systems. He explained that the structures can feed eight cages simultaneously, compared to the previous prototype’s capacity of six.
The innovative feeding systems serve offshore aquaculture units, enabling the simultaneous feeding of up to 3 million fish. This method not only accelerates the feeding process but also ensures more frequent and uniform feeding, minimising the risk of marine pollution.
Both ministries welcomed such initiatives, citing their potential to reduce marine pollution and protect the environment. The new system is also expected to decrease the carbon footprint by minimising the use of vessels for daily operations.
