Advanced Course: OFFSHORE MARICULTURE
17-22 May 2004 
Zaragoza, Spain

Objective of the course

Total aquaculture production in the Mediterranean region reached 1,349,777 tonnes in 2001, representing about 3% of the world aquaculture production (48,413,635 tonnes). Although mollusc production used to make up the main part of this aquaculture (62% in 1992), finfish production is increasing steadily (from 37% in 1992 to 53% in 2001), following a worldwide trend.

The Mediterranean coast, which is about 46,000 km long, is densely populated and supports many functions, such as tourism, residential development, and conservation of natural environments, which may compete with aquaculture for resources. Many coastal areas are also physically exposed and therefore unsuitable for traditional inshore-based farming.

Offshore farming is seen as a means to overcome such difficulties, and as a way to increase production in areas where it would otherwise not be possible. Indeed, a number of offshore farms have already been established and have operated with varying degrees of success for a number of years. However, the offshore mariculture continues to present many challenges, not only to systems design and installation, but also to farm management.

The objective of this seminar is to provide participants with the most recent information available on offshore mariculture, including site assessment and the technical, economic and environmental aspects of these systems.

The seminar will enable participants to:

• Gain further knowledge of offshore mariculture, evaluating requirements and limitations for development
• Establish criteria concerning the correct sites for this type of production, considering both technical factors and environmental impact issues
• Assess the productive, operational and economic aspects of existing systems
• Acquire experience on the real application of different strategies and production systems through case studies and by addressing the technical, economic, social and environmental factors that can determine success or failure in different situations
• Establish institutional and personal relations that will help to improve regional cooperation in this field and thus increase knowledge of these production systems, so they may be improved and adapted to the specific conditions of each country and area

Application forms may be obtained from:

Instituto Agronómico Mediterráneo de Zaragoza
Apartado 202, 50080 Zaragoza (Spain)
Tel: +34 976 716000 - Fax: +34 976 716001
e-mail: iamz@iamz.ciheam.org 
Web: www.iamz.ciheam.org

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