Aquaculture is the activity that farms fish and algae in both freshwater and saltwater settings. Official ministry data show it contributes about 0.02% to the national Gross Value Added and roughly 0.55% of Agricultural GVA, which includes agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and aquaculture.
Spain holds the position of the European Union member with the largest aquaculture harvest in Europe, capturing a substantial portion of the regional output. The blue economy supports millions of jobs across Europe and generates hundreds of billions in gross value added each year.
Hidden behind the scenes, aquaculture acts as an engine for conservation and socioeconomic development in Spain. The topic has been examined in Madrid by experts who explored economic, social, and environmental impacts, as well as the challenges and opportunities the industry faces now and in the future.
Javier Ojeda, a leading figure in the Spanish industry, stressed that about 60% of the seafood available to consumers worldwide comes from farming or farm-raised sources. He pointed out that this figure applies to Spain and noted that public information about the sector remains limited. Farm facilities are often located in remote coastal zones or mountain valleys far from large towns, which affects visibility. He also observed that Spain is among the top fish-consuming countries in Europe and globally, a factor that fuels aquaculture’s potential. The industry’s history shows early roots tied to market demand, followed by decades of steady growth and ongoing innovation.
Lorenzo Maynard, a financial director for a continental aquaculture company, described the sector as better understood locally, especially where facilities exist. He noted that many people do not grasp what occurs behind aquaculture, and public misunderstanding persists. Recent years have seen efforts to improve public perception and to better explain how the sector operates.
Aurelio Ortega, a member of the Spanish Committee of Scientific Experts on Aquaculture and a Fisheries Regional President at the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, agreed with Maynard that traceability helps consumers determine whether their seafood comes from aquaculture or wild capture. He acknowledged lingering myths but remained hopeful that the situation is improving and evolving over time.
Eduardo Soler, who oversees Sustainability at a seafood farming company, explained the fundamental difference between continental aquaculture and marine aquaculture. Continental farming uses fresh water, while marine farming occurs in seawater. He described long production cycles and significant effort, noting that weather, market changes, and supply dynamics require ongoing system checks to ensure that crops reach their expected conditions within two years.
Carola González Kessler, Deputy General Manager of Aquaculture, Fisheries Marketing and Structural Actions at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, highlighted aquaculture’s positive contribution to rural social development. The industry supports new initiatives, diversification projects, environmental services for protection, and job opportunities for young people and women alike.
environmental sustainability
Ojeda highlighted that aquaculture can produce more with fewer resources, delivering high‑quality, nutritious food with a relatively small footprint. He stressed that the sector features efficient land use and a modest carbon footprint, aided by careful management and responsible design. Maynard added that energy use in aquaculture facilities is low and that efficient designs are commonplace. He also noted ongoing investment in research and development to minimize environmental impact while maximizing output.
Photographs feature Lorenzo Maynard and Javier Ojeda, highlighting their roles as leaders in continental aquaculture. David Ham documented the event.
Eduardo Soler discussed the potential consequences of climate change for the sector and described aquaculture as a safe, sustainable option to address global food security. He argued that the sector offers a reliable path forward for ensuring stable protein supplies while reducing environmental strain.
Carola González stated that available studies show aquaculture has a relatively low carbon footprint and can contribute to European Green Deal goals by reducing emissions and supporting a shift toward more sustainable food systems. She noted that aquaculture also supports employment, with more than 11,000 direct jobs tied to farms in Spain.
challenges
Ojeda identified administrative bureaucracy as a primary hurdle facing the industry. He argued that procedures can be overly burdensome, hindering growth. He warned that obtaining permission to build a new facility in Spain is often impractical, sometimes taking years, and he called for a more streamlined process.
Maynard observed that future growth depends on meeting increasingly stringent regulations while modernizing older facilities. He stressed that many operations date back half a century and require substantial expertise and investment to stay competitive.
Regulatory requirements and the financial sustainability of companies remain critical challenges. The sector needs more capacity to adapt production to modern conditions, including digitalization and advanced technology. The overarching aim is to deliver a consistently high-quality product that rivals the best fishmongers. Achieving this requires significant investment in research and development across diverse fields.
Solving these issues is essential to push the sector toward greater operational efficiency and resilience. He highlighted the importance of better supply management and making the industry more sustainable and practical for fish physiology and farming workflows.
Soler added that aquaculture involves handling large data streams, necessitating robust databases to manage information effectively. Ortega pointed to the potential of artificial intelligence to boost efficiency in aquaculture techniques, stressing that profitability and sustainability hinge on smarter, data‑driven practices.
Carola González reaffirmed that aquaculture, like fishing, supports sustainable food systems and ensures food safety. The ministry representative reiterated the sector’s role in creating employment, noting that aquaculture has a significant direct employment footprint in Spain. [Citation: Ministry data and expert reports].