Source: nongnghiep.vn
Mutually beneficial
The blue economy, which involves the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, is attracting attention. One of the important areas is aquaculturecan grow in open waters thanks to stable temperatures, strong currents, which help disperse nutrients and reduce its environmental footprint.
Meanwhile, marine tourism thrives in similar spaces, also contributing to promoting the blue economy. The ocean offers many recreational services, such as snorkeling and scuba diving; Fresh seafood sources bring great economic and spiritual value; Clear beaches play an important role in promoting tourism.
In short, aquaculture can promote tourism and tourism can create demand for aquaculture products.
Greece is developing aquaculture combined with tourism to contribute to promoting the green economy.
A typical example of this combination can be seen in open marine cages Greek, where 65% of seafood production comes from aquaculture. On the island of Rhodes, the small west coast village of Kameiros Skala is combining aquaculture and tourism.
Tourists visit Strongyli Island, where the Lamar SA Group raises about 300 tons of European sea bass each year (Dicentrarchus labrax)red sea bream (Pagrus major)yellowhead seabream (Sparus aurata) and Mediterranean croaker (Argyrosomus regius) supply to local market.
Along with a diving center, Lamar SA organizes educational talks explaining farming practices; the need to develop aquaculture in Europe; the relationship between aquaculture and the environment, biodiversity and environmental protection; and opportunities to snorkel, dive and spot species such as tuna, dolphins and seals around the farm. Visitors can also swim with sea bream in designated cages.
Savvas Chatzinikolaou, manager at Lamar SA, says: “Our farm indirectly creates a unique natural ecosystem with countless living creatures and we want to show this to everyone. We are sharing information not only with tourists but also with research organizations and universities.”
Shared benefits for the environment
Lamar SA also cooperates with the Greek Marine Research Center to collect data on water quality parameters around the farm. The data is integrated into aquaculture management programs and shared freely with universities and research institutes.
Aquaculture can promote tourism, and tourism can create demand for aquaculture products.
Or Kastelorizo Aquaculture SA – a company specializing in raising sea bass and sea bream near the small island of Patroklos in the Saronic Gulf. The farm partners with a diving center to bring in scuba divers, while monitoring environmental parameters to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Model This has also shown that aquaculture and tourism can coexist. A monitoring and management platform provided by telecommunications company Wings ICT Solutions. This platform includes cameras and sensors that can help optimize farming conditions, ensure fish health and minimize potential risks.
Evangelia Lamprakopoulou, representative of Wings ICT Solutions said: “This type of combination of aquaculture and tourism can address negative perceptions of aquaculture by showcasing the benefits and positivity of It. At the same time, it can also enhance the culinary experience and promote the consumption of farmed seafood.”
Tundi Agardy, executive director of the marine conservation policy group Sound Seas in Washington DC, agrees that exposing people to aquaculture helps them better understand where the food they eat comes from. . Tourism could also add to the increase, she said demand for aquatic products. Consumers eat fresher produce, at lower environmental costs, while helping to support local livelihoods.
“Tours to visit the spiny lobster fishery in the village of Punta Allen, Mexico help promote the product in nearby resorts and help spiny lobsters sell at high prices. This is an example of a fishing operation, but I can imagine the same thing with small aquaculture operations that supply fish and other seafood to nearby tourist areas. Travels at farm Aquaculture can also educate people about food production and is a form of marketing in and of itself,” Ms. Agardy said.
Lamar SA is aiming to turn farms into Zones marine conservation (MPA). This can bring ecological benefits, promoting the sustainable development of aquaculture and tourism, allowing them to grow together.
Ms. Agardy agrees that combining aquaculture and tourism will add value to both sectors, which could lead to other steps such as better farm management, best practices for management coastal areas and apply ecosystem approaches. At the same time, it can also create a better and more solid investment environment for economic development.
According to Mr. Lamprakopoulou: “Tourism creates additional income for aquaculture, encourages investment and leads to improved production capacity and economic viability. We can see more examples of this, not only in Greece but also in other regions globally.”
