MareBlu joins Maltese aquaculture federation, uniting entire tuna industry under one roof

MareBlu Ltd has officially joined the Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers (FMAP), meaning that 100 per cent of Malta’s Bluefin tuna industry is now represented under one umbrella organisation.

The news was revealed by Lawyer and FMAP President Charlon Gouder on his LinkedIn. “What started as a pilot project back in 2018 has become one solid voice in Malta and internationally,” he wrote.

The move marks a significant milestone for Malta’s aquaculture sector, which exports around €225 million worth of Bluefin tuna annually. What began as a pilot initiative in 2018 has now developed into one unified voice, representing the industry both locally and abroad.

A growing international presence

FMAP’s strengthened membership comes at a time when Malta continues to expand its presence in international markets. In 2023, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg signed an agreement with China’s Vice Minister Wang Lingjun to open the door for Maltese Bluefin tuna exports to China.

Speaking at the time, Minister Borg described the development as an “important agreement” that would further strengthen commercial ties and create new trade niches. He also noted that interest in Maltese tuna is growing across Asia, with Malta already exporting to Japan and South Korea.

The expansion of international trade has gone hand in hand with conservation efforts. In 2022, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Welfare Alicia Bugeja Said highlighted research showing that Bluefin tuna stocks had improved significantly. This paved the way for discussions on increasing catch quotas at EU and ICCAT level.

The role of FMAP

By bringing MareBlu into its fold, FMAP now represents the collective interests of Malta’s Bluefin tuna producers on both domestic and international stages. The federation’s work spans areas such as:

• Representing members on EU and global policy files, including Blue Growth, the Common Fisheries Policy, ICCAT, and International Ocean Governance.
• Developing knowledge and science in aquaculture.
• Promoting the industry at home and abroad.
• Supporting members with technical and operational assistance.

The federation also engages with emerging policy frameworks tied to aquaculture, blue biotechnology, and sustainable blue economy finance principles.