Maputo, Mozambique, 19 Aug – An international conference on aquaculture in Mozambique is due to be held in November, in Pemba, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambican news agency AIM reported.

The conference will be attended by representatives from several countries and is intended to promote business investment opportunities in aquaculture, an activity carried out in most of Mozambique’s 11 provinces.

According to the Mozambican Fishing Ministry, by the end of 2011, production is projected to total 600 tons of farmed shrimp, which represents significant growth against the previous year.

Official figures show that in the first half of 2010, farmed shrimp production was 403 tons, which was growth of 10 percent against projected production, despite one of the companies involved in this business facing difficulties in accessing the market.

The Pemba conference will debate issues such as: The fishing sector in Mozambique, resources and potential for fresh water and marine aquaculture, the current state of the aquaculture industry, regional and global markets and business prospects.

France recently decided to provide funding of 1.5 million euros to develop an aquaculture project in Mozambique, which will make it possible to boost the production and sale of shrimp and ensure the financial viability of the main companies in the sector. (macauhub)