Cyprus

Type of species farmed 

The main species produced by the Cypriot aquaculture in 2022 are gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) (72% of the total weight) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (26% of the total production volume). Freshwater fish and other species represent less than 1% of total volume and of total value.

^{Source: 2025, STECF}

Type of production method

In Cyprus, in 2023, production occurred almost entirely in marine waters, mainly using cages and, in marginal percentage, in ponds. Negligible amounts of farmed production occurred in freshwater, in tanks and raceways.

^{Source: 2026, EUMOFA Country profiles}

^{Source: 2025, EUMOFA; & 2024, Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, DFMR}

Trends (past and future)

• Aquaculture in Cyprus is experiencing steady growth and adapting to evolving consumer demands. The sector is expanding its activities, including recent investments in fish processing, particularly filleting seabream and seabass, which increases product value and diversifies supply.
• Key drivers of this development include progress in Marine Spatial Planning to support infrastructure needs, significant investment in shared aquaculture infrastructure in the Vasilikos-Monis area funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan, and financial support from European funds (EMFF, EMFAF) for modernization and advanced technologies. Additionally, the exploration of new export markets is further strengthening the sector’s growth.

^{Source: 2025, STECF}

Impact of aquaculture in the country’s economy, food market and labour market

• Today, aquaculture in Cyprus is a very important and integral part of the Cypriot Fishing Sector, since it represents approximately 80%, both in quantity and value, of the total Cypriot production of fishery products.
• Two of the seven trout farms operate in conjunction with adjacent restaurants.
• Trout farming creates employment opportunities in the mountainous and rural areas.
• It has to be noted that the shrimp unit constitutes a unique facility in the Mediterranean basin as it has developed specialized biotechnology techniques.

^{Source: 2024, DFMR}

Challenges and opportunities

^{Source: MNSPA}

Employment and number of enterprises

Nine open sea cage farms culturing mainly European seabass and gilthead seabream, three marine hatcheries, one land-based shrimp hatchery/farm and seven small freshwater aquaculture units culturing mainly rainbow trout and smaller quantities of sturgeon. These last ones employ a small number of individuals with overall technical knowledge and are usually run as small family businesses. 

In 2024, there were 313 FTE.

^{Source: 2024, DFMR}

• Aquaculture Law 2000 until 2010
• Aquaculture (General) Regulations 2002 until 2010
• Water pollution control (Water quality for shellfish) Ordinance of 2001 (P.I. No. 9/2001)
• Water pollution control (Freshwater quality standards to preserve the life of fish) Ordinance of 2001 (P.I. No. 10/2001)
• Animal Health Law, 2001 (Law No. 109(I)/2001)  

• Aquaculture activity is also regulated by relevant provisions in other legislation, such as the Environmental Authority, concerning the safeguarding of the state and quality of the environment, as well as the Veterinary Services and Animal Protection and Welfare Services on public health issues and the health and well-being of farmed organisms.

• Cyprus Mariculture Association

Sources

• EUMOFA Country Profiles
• EUMOFA “The EU Fish Market” 2025 edition
• STECF 24-14 - EU Aquaculture