Spain’s aquaculture industry remains the top producer in the EU. In 2012 Spain’s 5,130 aquaculture operations produced 265,000 tons of aquaculture products according to data from the General Department of Fisheries of the Ministry of Aquaculture Food and Environment (MAGRAMA). Fisheries Secretary, Carlos Dominguez states that over the past 50 years consumption of fishery products has doubled to 19 kg per person per year by 2012, and global aquaculture production over the same time period increased from 1.6 million tons in 1960 to 66.6 million tons in 2012. Spain has established the 2014-2020 Multiannual Strategic Plan of Spanish Aquaculture which sets future growth targets for the country’s aquaculture sector and links the country to joint funding from the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The plan should be approved by the National Marine and Continental Aquaculture Advisory Boards within weeks.
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