Directly from producer to consumer: 27 POS of aquaculture products at competitive prices in Algiers

By: Hana Saada

ALGIERS– Fish resources have considerably diminished over the past ten years, particularly in the Mediterranean Basin. In Algeria, the public authorities are encouraging the consumption of products from aquaculture, the prices of which are more affordable.

No less than 27 points of sale have been dedicated for the sale of aquaculture products at competitive prices in the wilaya of Algiers, under the slogan “Directly from producer to consumer”, said the Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Wilaya of Algiers, Atouf Kadour.

“This operation, supervised by the Chamber of Fisheries and Aquaculture, began with the opening of special points for the sale of aquaculture products, such as; red tilapia and sea bream, with the aim to protect the purchasing power of the Algerians,” he specified.

“The price of a kilogram of red tilapia is 550 DA, that of sea bream does not exceed 1,090 DA, while the small size stands for 990 DA”, he underlined.

In a statement, the director of the local Chamber of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ali Bit said that “the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has drawn up a plan to open new points of sale of the aquaculture products with the aim to sell fish directly to consumers, enabling them to acquire locally produced fresh fish at very reasonable prices.”

“The number of the points of sale would increase in the coming days, because the operation aims to provide aquaculture products in various regions of the wilaya at reasonable prices within the reach of the consumer, in addition to the provision of these products during the holy month of Ramadan.”

“To this end, the Ministry instructed the Chambers of Fisheries and Aquaculture to oversee direct sale operations to consumers,” he noted.

And to add: “This ministerial department has assured, on many occasions, that its strategy is essentially based on fish production which should be accompanied by a change in the mode of consumption”.

The head of the National Voluntary Association, Karim Ben Ammar, on his part, hailed this initiative, highlighting the nutritional value of these fish, like tilapia, also called aquatic chicken, distinguished by its taste and richness in proteins, omega 3 as well as vitamins B and D.

In this vein, a lady declared that her income did not usually allow her to afford fresh fish. Such a “good” initiative, she continued, “allowed me to acquire it at a reasonable price”. She also thanked President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Lt. Gen. Mr. Said Changriha, Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army for their tireless efforts.

In a related context, the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture different provinces, including Tlemcen and Skikda, are working to develop aquaculture and diversify fisheries resources by opening the way for private investment to participate and give new impetus to the sector.

The accompaniment and support granted to private investors, translated, in particular, by the provision of land bases to them to embark on the aquaculture sector in Tlemcen, have, thus, given rise to a dozen projects which should, undoubtedly, make it possible to promote this sector.

In a statement to APS, the Director of Fisheries and Fishery Resources, Sahnoun Boukabrine, referred to no less than 18 private investments for the production of, among others, gilthead sea bream and sea bass, including nine (9) that went into production, while others are in the process of being equipped with the necessary materials.

“The encouragement of private investment has borne fruit since two aquaculture farms have been set up in the communes of Honaine and Dar Yaghmouracen with an annual production capacity of 600 tonnes each, offering 32 jobs, and a third farm at the port of “Sidna Youchaâ”, in the town of Dar Yaghmouracen, for the breeding of gilthead sea bream and sea bass for a production capacity of 600 tons per year, to provide 21 jobs,” detailed Mr. Boukabrine.

“The operation to install six floating cages has been completed and concerns the production of fingerlings, and this, during the year 2023,” said the Director of Fisheries and Fisheries Resources.

Two other seawater mussel farming projects are also planned at “Maârouf” beach, in the municipality of Marsat Ben M’hidi. They will be operational as of the first quarter of 2023.

To these projects are added four (4) others, in progress, for the breeding of fish in sea water, including two in Marsat Ben M’hidi with a capacity of 500 tons per year each,  allowing the creation of 30 jobs, in addition to two mussel farming projects in Marsat Ben M’hidi and Honaïne.

These projects would achieve a production of 2,900 tons of gilthead sea bream and sea bass, as well as 184 tons of mussels, along with the creation of 122 jobs.

In Skikda, five floating cages have been installed, pending the installation of three others, with an annual production capacity of 800 tonnes/ a year.

Private investors wishing to invest in the field of aquaculture are called upon to contact the services of the National Chamber of Fishing and Aquaculture or chambers of wilayas in order to register and benefit from support.