Current Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Tunisia

Compared to other North African countries, Tunisia has reached a significant level of fish consumption. The only relevant historical dimension of aquaculture in Tunisia are traditional lagoon management (80,000 ha of lagoon and coastal lakes) and culture of shellfish. Semi-intensive and intensive cultures are relatively new concepts in Tunisia and only recently also the public sector is involved. The Tunisian fishing industry has expanded over the last 20 years and annual catches at present are more than four times those registered in mid-fifties. Production of the year 2007 reached 105 thousand tons against 111 thousand tons during the same period of 2006 thus recording a fall of 5%. Unfavorable weather conditions mainly during the last quarter year had the effect to reduce the number of days out at sea. Exports reached 24.3 thousand tons for one value 240.5 MD against respectively 22.2 thousand tons and 234.1 thus recording MD at the end of the past year a rise of 9% in volume and from 3% in value. Commercial value such as shellfish - consequence of one regression of the production - with in parallel raises blue fish exports. The imports were stabilized in volume of 39.1 thousand tons and increased from 6% in value with respectively 67.4 MD in 2007 against 63.7 MD at the end of 2006. The importation in larger quantities of intended fish to the fattening of tuna in floating cages explains partly this rise. Nevertheless, the pay of balance import/export of produced fishing remains positive with a surplus of 173.1 MD against 170.4 MD in 2006.