Spain Updates Its Aquaculture Funded Growth Plan Under FEMPA for 2027 and Beyond
On 29 November, the European Commission confirmed approval of Spain’s operational program for the part of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund FEMPA. The nation is projected to reach a total of 1,570 million euros by 2027, with a clear aim to deploy funds to boost performance across the sector. Water culture is slated to take a leading role in line with the European Union’s strategic guidelines. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food expects a substantial rise in the sector’s contribution in the coming years, estimating an increase in turnover of about 25 percent by 2027 to surpass 700 million euros. Plans include studies to lift production beyond 345,000 tons, extending less exploited areas such as offshore or onshore breeding and maintaining stability in established regions like Galicia with shellfish banks and rafts.
Recently, the ministry published Spain’s Contribution to the Strategic Guidelines 2021-2030 for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture. The document first analyzes the sector’s current state, noting 45 different types of production across 5,572 establishments in the period from 2014 to 2020. This produced over 297,000 tonnes and generated an annual average value above 568 million euros, supporting around 12,000 direct jobs. It also highlights that more than 90 percent of offshore and sea land facilities are located in Galicia.
Nevertheless, the report prepared by Pesca, drawing on aquaculture authorities from the communities and three sector organizations, anticipates that growth will be most pronounced in the aquaculture centers along the Atlantic coast in regions such as Vasco, Canarias, Murcia, Valenciana, Extremadura, Navarra, Catalonia and Andalusia, as well as in continental aquaculture in Catalonia.
Species-wise, mollusk production from rafts or culture banks in Galicia is expected to level off through 2027 with an average annual output around 228,000 tons and a first-sale value rising about 4.8 percent to roughly 142.2 million euros. In Galicia, sales value should rise while production stabilizes due to higher added value. In Andalusia, both production and value are projected to decline slightly. For sea farming, best performance is forecast for sea bream, sea bass, turbot and tuna, with a predicted surge of about 90 percent reaching 99,000 tons and a 34 percent value increase to around 504.2 million euros. Very notable gains are anticipated in Canarias, Valenciana and Murcia, while after landing, production and value for fin fish like turbot and trout are expected to average around 17,750 tons and 56.9 million euros, marking a modest growth of just over 5 percent in both metrics.
Crustaceans and algae show strong potential yet with relatively lower absolute figures. A substantial production rise of about 66.6 percent is expected for crustaceans with a value increase around 176.9 percent to 3.05 million euros from 343.7 tons. Macroalgae production and the higher value microalgae are projected to climb by 15.57 percent in quantity to 10,966 tons and more than 108 percent in commercial value to around 3.4 million euros.
Revenue Gains, Expanded Producer Organizations and Lower Carbon Footprints
The Fisheries for Aquaculture report remains ambitious for the next decade. It notes key challenges such as limited interest among younger people and the need for substantial facilities investments, along with the economic impact of animal diseases. On the upside, the document envisions rising aquaculture revenue and continued growth in full-time employment, accompanied by greater female participation and broader involvement across all types of work.
FEMPA is also expected to strengthen producer organizations and grow the number of associates, along with the creation of new organizations to join existing networks. Environmental aims point to a continued reduction in the sector’s carbon footprint, improved use of raw materials to boost efficiency, and a stronger contribution to water health, ecosystem recovery and biodiversity preservation.
Further improvements through Pesca are anticipated in the industrys control systems and the adoption of new traceability measures for marketed products, as well as improved health management on farms. In research and development, there is a commitment to increasing synergies between funding instruments and enhancing data collection systems for faster, clearer information processing and accessibility.