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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. Albania has a population of 3.4 million
and one the highest population growth rates in Europe. Fishing
activity takes place along the entire 450 km length of Albanias
coastline, including its territorial waters 12 miles offshore,
up to the international boundary. 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 farm). Currently there are 59 Albanian fish farms: 9 fish farms, 3 carp
fingerling hatcheries and 46 for trout culture.
Albanias domestic fisheries production in 2001 was
approximately 3596 mt, of which 3310 from capture and 286 from
aquaculture (FAO-FIDI, 2004a,
2004b). In addition, fishery imports in
1999-2001 totalled about 7079 t, while fish
exports stood at 3147 t. Import figures for 2001 suggest that 2,048
t of fresh, frozen and processed fish were brought into the country
(presumably for domestic consumption), with a value of some US $ 1.68 M
(average price US $ 0.82/kg). In 1999-2001, average per capita supply
was estimated at being 3.2 kg/year.
The Albanian fisheries economy can be roughly valued on the
basis of estimated current landings of 2,000 t of mixed marine
species and 1,000 t of mixed freshwater species. At average
first-hand sale prices of about US $ 2.80 (lek 400)/ kg for marine
fish, US $ 1.90 (lek 270)/ kg, this equates to a total
first-hand sale value of US $ 7.50 M
(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% of the
fishing vessels are used (Flloko,
2004).
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