Background information
Type of species farmed
Out of 30 species, production is dominated by Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), Japanese carpet shell (Venerupis philippinarum), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) are the major marine-farmed finfish species.
Source: 2026, EuroFish
Type of production method
71 % of Italian production occurs in sea and brackish water and 29 % in freshwater. In 2023, the following main production methods were used:
- 44% of production: off bottom in sea and brackish water.
- 27% of production: in tanks and raceways, almost entirely in freshwater (slight portion in sea and brackish water)
- 17% of production: on bottom in sea and brackish water.
- 8% of production: in cages, entirely in sea and brackish water.
- 3% of production: in ponds in freshwater.
Sector’s size (production and consumption)
Source: 2026, Italian fish farming association, API; 2025, EUMOFA
Trends (past and future)
Past:
- Long aquaculture tradition based on extensive systems (lagoon “valli”).
- Evolution towards a highly specialized and industrialized sector.
- Consolidation of key species (mussels, clams, trout, sea bream, and sea bass).
- Development of large-scale production and expansion along the coastline.
Future / current trends:
- Continued modernization with intensive and marine systems (cages, advanced farming).
- Maintenance of leadership in shellfish and consolidation in marine finfish.
- Growing importance of processing and value-added products.
- Persistent dependence on imports to meet domestic demand.
- Potential growth in product and technology diversification.
Source: 2026, EuroFish
Impact of aquaculture in the country’s economy, food market and labour market
- Generates over €600 million in aquaculture production.
- Strong impact from the processing sector (around €1.8 billion).
- Significant contribution to national and regional economies.
- Sector with high trade activity, especially imports.
- Italy is one of the world’s largest markets for fishery products.
- Italy is a major producer of Japanese carpet shell in Europe.
- Around 3,690 aquaculture enterprises, mostly small-scale.
- Dominance of micro-enterprises with fewer than 5 employees.
- The processing sector employs over 6,700 people.
- Strong regional concentration of employment (south in processing; north in freshwater aquaculture).
- Job creation in coastal and rural areas.
Source: 2026, EuroFish
Challenges and opportunities
Challenges
- High dependence on imports and a strong trade deficit.
- Fragmented production structure (dominance of small enterprises).
- International competition in pricing and supply.
- Need for continuous modernization and technological adaptation.
- Production limitations compared to high domestic demand.
Opportunities
- High levels of specialisation and know-how, a high degree of industrialisation and large‐scale organisation are key features of the Italian aquaculture sector.
- Strong domestic market with high demand for seafood products.
- Development of processing and value-added products.
- Growth potential in marine and intensive aquaculture.
- Leadership in shellfish production at the European level.
- Opportunity to reduce external dependence by increasing domestic production.
- Technological innovation and improved production efficiency.
Source: 2026, EuroFish
Employment and number of enterprises
In 2023 the number of aquaculture enterprises (including hatcheries, fattening for consumption, sport fishing lakes, breeding fish and nurseries) totalled 3,690. Italy’s aquaculture sector is dominated by small enterprises with less than five employees.
Source: 2026, EuroFish
Multi-annual National Strategic Plans for the development of sustainable Aquaculture
Relevant Authorities
Applicable Legislation
- Legislative powers in the field of aquaculture are vested in the Regions, while the State is responsible for national programming and for the coordination of regional policies.
- Law n. 102 of 5 February 1992 on Aquaculture (as amended by Law No 122 of 27 March 2001)
- Legislative Decree n. 226 of 18 May 2001 laying down the Guidelines for the Modernization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector, as amended by Legislative Decree n. 154 of 2004
- Legislative Decree n. 148 of 4 August 2008: Implementation of Directive 2006/88/EC on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals
- Ministerial Decree of 8 July 2010, Appl. Legislative Decree No 148: Provisions for the register of aquaculture production businesses
- Ministerial Decree of 3 August 2011, Appl. Legislative Decree n.148: Provisions for the issue of health authorisations to aquaculture businesses and processing establishments, within the meaning of Article 6 of Legislative Decree n. 148 of 4 August 2008
- Ministerial Decree n. 7630 of 4 February 2020: Recognition of the ‘Sustainable aquaculture’ production specification within the National Zootechnical Quality System recognized by the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policy, Ministerial Decree n. 4337 04/03/2011
Applicable Procedures
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) (Legislative Decree n.152/2006, recently amended by Legislative Decree n. 104/2017, which transposes Directive 2014/52/EU on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of certain public and private projects)
National associations and networks
Relevant Websites
- Aquaculture Platform (ITAQUA)
- National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT)
- CREA- Animal Production and Aquaculture (find relevant information also here)