Public Consultation on the Action Plan for the Development of Sustainable Aquaculture in Malta (2026 – 2036)
Aquaculture is a key component of Malta’s blue economy, contributing significantly to national economic output, exports, and employment. Since its development in the late 1980s, and particularly following the expansion of tuna farming in 2000, the sector has grown into an internationally recognised industry with strong global market connections.
Over the years, Malta has adopted a structured policy approach to guide the sustainable development of aquaculture. The first Aquaculture Strategy for the Maltese Islands (2014–2025) established the foundations for sectoral planning and management, supported by environmental assessment processes to ensure that growth was aligned with ecological considerations.
Building on this experience, Malta introduced the Multiannual National Plan for the Development of Sustainable Aquaculture (MNPSA) 2022–2030. This plan integrates lessons learnt from past implementation, aligns with European Union priorities such as the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy, and promotes a more competitive, resilient, and environmentally responsible sector.
Today, the aquaculture sector stands at an important turning point. While it continues to perform strongly, it faces a number of challenges that need to be addressed to ensure long‑term sustainability. These include reliance on a limited number of species—particularly Atlantic bluefin tuna—exposure to fluctuations in international markets, increasing operational costs, and growing environmental and public perception concerns. In addition, Malta’s small size and limited marine space mean that aquaculture development must carefully balance competing uses of coastal and marine areas. Site selection and spatial planning therefore remain central considerations for the sustainable growth of the industry. At the same time, the sector offers strong opportunities for future development. These include diversification into new species, the adoption of innovative and more sustainable production systems, investment in infrastructure such as hatcheries and support facilities, and enhanced research and technological development.
In this context, the Government of Malta is developing an Action Plan for the Development of Sustainable Aquaculture 2026-2036. This Action Plan builds on existing policy frameworks and aims to provide a forward‑looking roadmap for the sector. Its objective is to support sustainable growth, strengthen competitiveness, improve governance, and ensure that aquaculture activities are carried out in a manner that respects the environment and responds to societal expectations.
The Action Plan has been financed by the EU Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and drafted based on scientific evidence, stakeholder engagement, and in alignment with EU policies and regulations together with the EU Commission’s DG REFORM . Through this public consultation, stakeholders and the general public are invited to contribute their views and help shape the future of aquaculture in Malta.
To support structured and focused submissions, stakeholders are encouraged to frame their feedback by responding to the following guiding questions, or by submitting comments related to these themes:
What actions should Malta prioritise over the next five years to support the sustainable and resilient development of the aquaculture sector?
What opportunities should Malta pursue to diversify aquaculture, including new species, products and production systems?
What measures should be prioritised to minimise the environmental impacts of aquaculture and strengthen the sector’s resilience to climate change?
What factors should be considered when identifying suitable locations for aquaculture activities, including their interaction with fisheries, tourism, recreation and other marine uses?
What improvements to regulation, licensing and coordination between public authorities would support the effective development of the sector?
What infrastructure and investment should be prioritised to support the future development of aquaculture in Malta?
How can research, technology and innovation best support greater sustainability, productivity and market development in the sector?
What education, training and skills initiatives are needed to meet the future needs of the sector and attract a new generation of professionals?
How can aquaculture make a stronger contribution to Malta’s economy, employment and food security?
What actions, partnerships and measurable outcomes should be included in the Action Plan to ensure effective implementation and monitoring?
Stakeholders and the general public are invited to submit their feedback through the Public Consultation Form below.
The Draft Action Plan can be accessed through the following link:
https://dfa.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/aquaculture-strategy-action-plan-2026-2036.pdf
