Canned fish is on the top Albanian agricultural product export 2.7 billion lek (around USD 27 million) in 2010
TIRANA, Nov. 28 – Albania has drafted a new fisheries law under EU assistance to strengthen the surveillance and monitoring system in fisheries, producing the country’s top agricultural exports. The confirmation came last week by Environment Minister Fatmir Mediu who along with EC Ambassador to Albania Ettore Sequi launched the Vessel Monitoring System (“Blue boxes”) which has been installed in all fishing vessels over 12 meters to strengthen the surveillance of the fishing fleet.
The Blue Box project, worth 2 million dollars, is part of EC assistance for Albania’s sustainable environment, says the ministry in a statement.
Minister Mediu also announced the drafting of a new aquaculture law is in its final stage.
Canned fish is on the top Albanian agricultural product export. Agriculture Ministry data show
the 2010 export list was topped by canned fish worth 2.7 billion lek (around USD 27 million). Its exports slightly rose to 2,502 tons, up from 2,497 tons in 2009. Italy is the top partner with 92 percent of total canned fish exports. Only 5 enterprises, employing 912 people operate in the fish conservation industry, according to an annual report by the Agriculture Ministry.
Medicinal plants were Albania’s second most important export in the agricultural and food exports last year. Exports of medicinal plants registered another increase in 2010 accounting for 57 percent of agricultural exports and 20 percent of total agricultural and food exports.
In its latest progress report on Albania, the European Commission says “enforcement of regulations in inland waters and coastal areas remains weak due to the lack of resources. Inter-institutional cooperation will need to be improved.”
“Overall, there has been some progress in the area of inspection and control and positive signs
related to the increased importance attached to the role and the future of the fishery sector in economic development. Technical capacities to strengthen the surveillance and monitoring system in fisheries and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing have been upgraded.”
