Aquaculture Emerges as a Key Driver of Regional Growth in Greece
Greek aquaculture was highlighted as a strategic pillar of regional development during a special session of the Parliamentary Committee on Regions, initiated by Dodecanese MP and Committee Chairman Manos Konsolas. Describing the sector as a symbol of “productive and creative Greece,” Konsolas emphasized its significant contribution to economic growth, employment, and exports.
Figures presented during the meeting showed that the sector operates 285 aquaculture units, produces around 120,000 tons of fish annually, and supports more than 10,000 jobs, particularly in island and coastal communities. In addition, €92.4 million in funding is available through Greece’s Fisheries, Aquaculture and Maritime Program to support the industry’s development during the current programming period.
Konsolas stressed the need to accelerate spatial planning for organized aquaculture zones, support new investments, modernize existing facilities, and strengthen export activity. Secretary General for Rural Development Spyros Protopsaltis noted that aquaculture is among the most outward-looking sectors of Greece’s primary production, with approximately 80% of its output exported to international markets.
