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ARTICLE TYPE : MINI REVIEW

Published on :   29 Oct 2025, Volume - 1
Journal Title :   WebLog Journal of Aquaculture | WebLog J Aquac
Source URL:   weblog iconhttps://weblogoa.com/articles/wjaq.2025.j2902
Permanent Identifier (DOI) :  doi iconhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17636000

Building Sustainable Aquaculture in Tunisia: Where Do We Stand and What’s Next?

Sami Mili 1,2 *
Rym Ennouri 3,4
Siwar Agrebi 1
Houcine Laouar 5
Amor Hedf 6
Ezzedine Mahmoudi 1
1University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna, 7021 Bizerte, Tunisia
2University of Carthage, Laboratory of Fisheries Sciences, National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies, 28 rue du 2 mars 1934, Salammbô 2025, Tunis, Tunisia
3University of Carthage, Higher Institute of Marine Sciences of Bizerte, Errimel, B.P. 15,7080 Bizerte, Tunisia
4Laboratory of Ecology, Biology and Physiology of Aquatic Organisms, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
5Technical Center of Aquaculture, Tunis, Tunisia
6Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Tunisian aquaculture has experienced remarkable growth, increasing from 887 tonnes in 1990 to over 21,000 tonnes in 2023. This growth has been driven by mussel, oyster farming and freshwater fish aquaculture since the 1960s, as well as land-based research and development and offshore cage operations. The sector now encompasses marine hatcheries, cages for sea bass and sea bream, mussel, tilapia farms and inland fish aquaculture, as well as pilot projects for shrimp and seaweed. It contributes USD 120 million and 14.6% to the fisheries output. Key challenges, such as limited hatchery capacity, feed imports, processing gaps and disease, are being addressed through strategic plans. Emerging sustainability measures include IMTA, recirculating systems, species diversification, and certification, such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Best Aquaculture Practices. This comprehensive review analyses the evolution, current status and prospects of the sector through a synthesis of official statistics and scientific literature. It examines production systems, species diversity, the governance framework and sustainability challenges, and proposes strategic directions for sustainable development.

Keywords: Aquaculture; Management; Sustainability; Diversification; Tunisia

Citation

Mili S, Ennouri R, Agrebi S, Laouar H, Hedfi A, Mahmoudi E. Building Sustainable Aquaculture in Tunisia: Where Do We Stand and What’s Next?. WebLog J Aquac. wjaq.2025.j2902. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17636000
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