Aqua Continentale, American firm ESE Intecto invest US$8M in Algerian aquaculture

ALGERIA – Algeria’s fisheries sector is about to get a major boost thanks to a new partnership between domestic company Aqua Continentale and American firm ESE Intec. 

The two companies inked an US$8M deal on May 28th to develop and construct an aquaculture production facility in the country’s Relizane province.

This project marks a significant step forward for Algeria’s aquaculture industry, which is still in its early stages.

With domestic fish production heavily reliant on wild catches, this initiative has the potential to transform the sector by establishing a local source of fish and shrimp.

ESE Intec, known for its expertise in designing and building food and animal feed production facilities, will bring its experience to the table.

The project will encompass four aquaculture production units, with a primary focus on shrimp farming.

“This joint venture with the American firm will be the first of its kind in Algeria for manufacturing fish feed,” said Aqua Continentale’s director, Madjid Abaoub.

“This project will cover the entire aquaculture chain, from feed production to fish farming.”

The project is expected to yield a significant harvest, with plans to produce 10,000 tonnes of shrimp annually.

This bounty is intended not only to satisfy local demand but also to pave the way for exports, potentially positioning Algeria as a regional leader in aquaculture.

The initiative is also expected to create valuable employment opportunities, with estimates suggesting the creation of 150 to 200 jobs.

This investment comes on the heels of a significant meeting – earlier this year, the country’s Minister for Fishing and Fisheries Production met with the FAO Director-General to discuss strategies for promoting sustainable fishing practices and developing domestic aquaculture capabilities.

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