Israel Launches Initiative to Farm Tuna Domestically

Israel is set to launch a large-scale tuna farming industry, beginning with the construction of a complex in Eilat dedicated to producing caviar and fry. The Ministry of Agriculture plans to invest 24 million shekels in this initiative, aiming for mass tuna cultivation within approximately five years. Currently, Israel lacks commercial facilities capable of raising tuna from egg to adult fish.

The ministry has partnered with the Israel Institute for Marine and Lake Research to develop domestic technology for producing tuna caviar and fry, reducing reliance on foreign imports. The Eilat facility will include four land-based tanks for breeding tuna, alongside water recycling systems and fry-rearing equipment. This complex is expected to be operational within two years.

Scientists will focus on improving fry survival rates. The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that within five years, Israel could be producing tuna on an industrial scale. The project also envisions the potential for exporting tuna fry in the long term.

Tuna was chosen for its high market value, nutritional quality, and rapid growth rate, significantly faster than other farmed fish like sea bream. The government is funding the project due to the high scientific and infrastructural risks, which are currently deemed too substantial for private investment alone.

Oren Lavi, Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the Eilat project aims to translate scientific knowledge into domestic production capabilities, enhancing protein sources and fostering a high-tech marine aquaculture sector. He emphasized that state funding is crucial for overcoming risks that deter private markets, thereby paving the way for a self-sufficient Israeli tuna industry.