Malta

Type of species farmed

The primary species produced is Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) (86% of total output). In smaller quantities include gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (13%). Alternative fish species have been cultured by the Aquaculture Directorate, such as the meagre (Argyrosomus regius), seabream (Diplodus sargus) and the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili).

^{Sources: 2025, STECF; MNSPA}

Type of production method

In Malta, aquaculture occurs in sea and brackish water. The following main production methods were used in 2023: 

• 90% of production: in cages. 
• 10% of production: in enclosures and pens.

The Maltese aquaculture industry is entirely dependent on marine resources and is divided into two distinct sectors being: 

• the Capture-Based Aquaculture (CBA) of Atlantic bluefin tuna. 
• the Closed-Cycle Species (CCS), mainly gilthead seabream and European seabass. 

Commercial production of these CBA and CCS systems is exclusively conducted in floating cage culture systems.  

Given the significant relevance of imports of frozen fish likely used directly as fish feed in the Maltese bluefin tuna fattening industry, available data for Malta do not allow to produce precise estimates. Also, in small countries such as Malta, tourism has a significant impact on total consumption. 

^{Source: 2026, National Statistics Office, NSO; 2025, EUMOFA}

Trends (past and future)

• A more competitive and resilient aquaculture sector that develops in balance with good environmental practices and societal expectations. 
• The provision of streamlined and less bureaucratic governance processes, promoting transparent and accountable practices for the public and the commercial enterprises in the industry. 
• The Aquaculture Directorate is investing in sustainable strategies for production. Specifically, these include Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) primarily for fish-invertebrate systems, and aquaponics using gilthead Sea bream and lower trophic organisms including polychaetes, halophytes and macroalgae integrated in a recirculated aquaculture system.

^{Source: MNSPA}

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

• Most of the enterprises specialize in tuna fattering operations, though a small amount carries out mixed operations having activities in gilthead seabream and European seabass, and other marine species. 
• The industry continues to maintain its focus on the export market, particularly targeting high-value markets in Asia, where bluefin tuna is in high demand. The tuna industry became one of the island’s major exporters of fish products, namely to Japan as a frozen product for the sushi and sashimi trade.
• Despite global market disruptions and increasing operational costs, the Maltese aquaculture sector remains resilient, with modest production increases and significant turnover growth in 2022. 
• The aquaculture industry in Malta has considerable socio-economic value and potential as it enhances the overall economic diversification, contributes to employment generation, provides valuable export earnings, and contributes towards the EU trade deficit for fisheries products. 
• CCS production, instead, has seen a considerable decrease in the past years. These changes are due to market fluctuations and different production strategies from the operators. Almost all the CCS production is exported as whole, gutted/ungutted fresh fish to Europe and North Africa. 
• Maltese aquaculture is a valid economic sector with a positive growth potential and its expected expansion is based on the potential identification of new aquaculture zones to be used for CCS and other novel species and on reaching the CCS production target of 5,000 tonnes, in addition to the tuna farming production, until 2030. It is forecasted that the industry will increase direct and indirect jobs by up to 25% by 2030 with a Gross Value Added of around €70 million to the Maltese economy.

^{Source: 2025, STECF; MNSPA}

Challenges and opportunities

^{Source: MNSPA; 2025, STECF}

Employment and number of enterprises

7 fish farming operators and 370 employees in 2022 (315 FTEs)

^{Source: 2025, STECF; MNSPA}

• CAP 425 – Fisheries Conservation and Management Act
• S.L. 425.02 – Fish Market Regulations
• S.L. 425.03 – Tunny Fish (Importation) Restriction Order
• S.L. 425.05 – Fisheries and Aquaculture Services Payments Regulation
• S.L. 425.12 – Aquaculture Operations Regulations
• L.N. 157/2017- Aquaculture Operations Regulations, 2017
• S.L. 425.13 – Blue Fin Tuna Harvesting Regulations
• Environment Protection Act (CAP. 549)
• Marine Policy Framework Regulations (S.L. 549.62)
• Water Policy Framework Regulations (S.L. 549.100)
• Veterinary Services Act (CAP 437)
• Development Planning Act (CAP. 552) 

In the year 2020, to enhance the administrative and regulatory capacity of the DFA and to reflect the added impetus for the aquaculture sector, the following legislative amendments have been published:

• L.N. 431/2020 - Fisheries and Aquaculture Services Payments (Amendment) Regulations 
• L.N. 188/2020 Aquaculture Operations (Amendment) Regulations
• L.N. 189/2020 - Blue Fin Tuna Harvesting and Aquaculture (Amendment) Regulations

• Aquaculture Operational Permit 
• Environmental Permit
• Full development Permit 

Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers (FMAP)

Sources

• EUMOFA Country Profiles
• EUMOFA “The EU Fish Market” 2025 edition
• STECF 24-14 - EU Aquaculture 
• National Statistics Office (NSO)