Israel Launches First Industrial Tuna Farming Project in Eilat

Israel is set to establish its first industrial-scale tuna farming industry in Eilat, aiming for a complete breeding cycle within the country. The Ministry of Agriculture is investing 24 million shekels to construct a facility for producing caviar and fry, according to the publication Calcalist. This initiative seeks to reduce Israel's reliance on imported tuna, as there are currently no full-cycle commercial tuna farms in operation domestically.

The project, a collaboration with the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute, involves building four land-based tanks for breeding tuna stocks, along with water purification systems and fry handling equipment. The facility is expected to launch in two years, after which efforts will focus on improving juvenile survival rates.

The Ministry of Agriculture anticipates that within five years, Israel will be capable of producing tuna on an industrial scale and potentially exporting fry. Tuna was chosen for its nutritional value, high market price, and rapid growth, with the potential to reach five kilograms in a single year under optimal conditions.

State funding is being provided due to significant technological and infrastructural risks that private companies are currently unwilling to undertake. Oren Lavi, Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the project aims to translate scientific knowledge into independent Israeli production capacity, enhancing protein sources and developing a high-tech marine aquaculture sector. He emphasized that state investment is crucial in areas with high risk to pave the way for a domestic industry that will supply the nation with protein from the sea.