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Albania is a small country in Europe covering an area of 28 748
square kilometres, and is located in the western part of the Balkan
Peninsula. The territorial waters are extended up to 12 nautical
miles (22 km) from the coastline. Albania has a population of 3.2
million and one the highest population growth rates in Europe.
Fishing activity takes place along the entire coastline. However for
the most part it is concentrated along the continental shelf zone,
which on the Adriatic side in the north extends 25 miles, but only
2-4 miles on the side of the Ionian Sea. Albania lies in the
FAO-GFCM Geographical Sub Area 18.
Fishing in Albania is primarily marine fisheries, although
lagoon and inland fishing does take place on a limited scale. During
recent years aquaculture is being increasingly promoted with
particular focus on carp fingerlings and fish for general
consumption (including sea farms). Currently there are 58 Albanian
fish farms: 9 fish farms, 3 carp fingerling hatcheries and 46 for
trout culture.
Albanias domestic fisheries production in 2006 was
approximately 7 699 tonnes, of which 5 729 from capture and 1 970
from aquaculture. In addition, fishery imports in 2003-2005 totalled
an average of about 13 559 tonnes, while fish exports stood at 4 382
tonnes.
Fishery imports in 2006 totalled about 16 347 (1 000 USD) while
exports was 23 914 (1 000 USD) with a net balance of 7 567 (1 000
USD). In 2003-2005, average per capita supply was 4.5 kg/year. (FAO,
2008).
The Albanian fisheries economy can be roughly valued on the
basis of estimated landings in 2003 of 2 000 tonnes of mixed marine
species and 1 000 tonnes of mixed freshwater species. At average
first-hand sale prices of about 2.80 USD (lek 400)/kg for marine
fish, 1.90 USD (lek 270)/kg, this equates to a total first-hand sale
value of 7.50 millions USD. (In 2000 and 2001: 1 US$=140 lek) (Flloko,
2004). Albania has a fishing fleet of about 212 boats (2002
data) concentrated in four main ports: Durres, Vlora, Shengjini and
Saranda, where about 900 people are employed. The fishing fleet
mainly concentrates on trawl fishing for which about 62 percent of
the fishing vessels are used. (Flloko,
2004).
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