The Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said launched the Aquaculture Fund. This fund will finance initiatives that protect the marine environment as well as reduce the potential for environmental damage that are directly or indirectly linked to the aquaculture sector.
This Fund will continue to promote the sustainability of the Aquaculture sector while protecting maritime resources, and is aimed at public entities, students, as well as voluntary associations, whose projects will continue to have a positive impact on this -sector. Through this fund, more new investment opportunities will also be created in this sector.
The Parliamentary Secretary stressed that with the launch of the Aquaculture Fund they are continuing to push forward the aquaculture sector which is making a valuable contribution to the Maltese economy – both from sales to local and foreign consumers, as well as from in terms of new jobs that he is offering to young people and local researchers.
She explained that this scheme will be financed from the collection of the annual licenses that the operators of the local fish farms currently pay. Thus, the investment linked to this fund will be a circular one both from the environmental point of view, as well as from the economic point of view.
“Through this fund we will continue to address a number of environmental challenges. We want to strengthen and protect the marine environment so that it continues to be enjoyed in the future. This fund will continue to spur new advances and encourage more innovation, research, and the strengthening of knowledge on existing maritime resources, and how we can achieve their sustainability. Finally, it is an opportunity to strengthen the economic sustainability of this sector, and continue to offer new opportunities for growth, and for quality jobs,” concluded Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.
The application can be obtained here . Applications will be received between 29 and 31 May 2024.
