Officials inaugurate innovative floating fish farming structures off Vasilikos (pics)

Government officials have inaugurated two innovative floating fish feeding systems, marking a significant step forward for the country's aquaculture industry.

Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, and Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, on 5 October attended the launch of the structures, developed by Levantina Fish, in the Vasilikos sea area.

The automated feeding systems, the first of their kind in Cyprus, are expected to significantly enhance efficiency and sustainability within the sector. "This innovative system provides simultaneous and controlled feed distribution to the fish," stated Panayiotou, praising Levantina Fish owner, Antonis Kimonides, for his initiative. She emphasized the government's commitment to supporting the aquaculture industry, Cyprus's third largest export sector, through funding and development initiatives.

Deputy Minister Hadjimanoli expressed pride in Levantina Fish, a Cypriot company with a 35-year history, for its pioneering spirit and international recognition in developing innovative solutions. "These successes will undoubtedly continue in the future," she said. Highlighting the environmental benefits, she emphasized the structures' contribution to reducing marine pollution, a key priority for the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.

The floating systems, larger and more robust than a prototype launched two years ago, can feed up to three million fish simultaneously across eight cages. This efficient and targeted feeding method minimizes waste and reduces the environmental impact, noted Kimonides. The structures' design also minimizes wave resistance and allows for easy monitoring of fish feeding.

Both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Deputy Ministry of Shipping welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its alignment with their shared commitment to environmental protection and the sustainable development of Cyprus's aquaculture industry.

(Source: CNA)