SIPAM - MALTA


NATIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTRE

The National Aquaculture Centre (NAC) was set up at Fort San Lucjan in 1988. The fort was originally built by order of Grandmaster Alof de Wignacourt between 1610 and 1611. Over the years it has been used by the Royal Air Force and by the University of Malta, first under the auspices of the Architecture Department and later as a Marine Biology station. Eventually it was allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries to accommodate the newly set up Aquaculture Centre.


The primary aim at the time was to pioneer the development of fish farming as a new industrial activity in Malta. The NAC:

  • Served as the pilot project to promote the aquaculture industry in Malta.

  • Introduced hatchery technology of sea bream, sea bass and tilapia.

  • Provides an extension and advisory service to the industry.

  • Organises training programmes in fishery science and aquaculture.

  • Provides conference facilities for national and international meetings and programmes.

  • Provides a service to the industry from the point of view of environmental and fish health monitoring.

  • Carries out research and development programmes to improve the technological aspect of this field.


LOCALIZATION


The National Aquaculture Centre is situated in Marsaxlokk (the largest fishing port on the island) 10 minutes away from the Malta International Airport