Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, on Friday, sponsored the launch of the “Plan for the Development of the Fishing and Aquaculture Sector” by the Agriculture Ministry, at the Grand Serail.
The ceremony was attended by several ministers, including Agriculture Minister Abbas Al Hajj Hassan, and a number of ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, international organizations and business figures.
Mikati pointed out that Lebanon has been famous throughout history for its fishing ports, which were the first in the region, adding that “Lebanon’s wealth of fisheries is a vital economic resource, but it requires care and planning.”
For his part, Hajj Hassan indicated that “this marine and river fish farming and development project aims to enhance the fishing sector.”
He pointed out that 45,000 families have long worked in this sector without support. In addition, a study carried out in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Turkish experts confirmed the presence of 400 species of fish in Lebanese territorial waters, indicating promising commercial potential.
Currently, Lebanon imports 85% of its fish consumption. However, the agriculture minister believes that within two years the country could achieve a degree of self-sufficiency in this area.
“We called on the private sector to invest, whether in river or marine fishing,” he concluded.
