Mariculture off the coast of Vila Real de Santo António in public consultation

The proposal, currently in the execution project phase, foresees the installation of a semi-submersible offshore platform, called CORALIS, with a structure measuring 50 by 50 meters, connected to a set of cages intended for the growth and fattening of sea bream and sea bass, in an intensive regime, entirely located in a marine environment.

In total, the system will occupy an area of ​​around 16,900 square meters, around 7.5 nautical miles south of the mouth of the Guadiana, on the border of Portuguese territorial waters with Spain.

With a maximum planned capacity of 8,000 tons of fish per year, the project foresees phased production from the second quarter of 2027, reaching full capacity in 2028.

The exploration horizon is approximately 25 years, and may be expanded as decided by the competent authorities.

The promoting company, Mariculture Systems Portugal Unipessoal, Lda. (MSP), is a subsidiary of Mariculture-Systems Ltd. , responsible for the development of the patented technology used in the platform.

The CORALIS platform will be built in a shipyard and towed to the installation site, and is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and comply with international standards, such as the MARPOL convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) and the requirements of the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ).

In terms of sustainability, the proposed technology contributes to ocean biodiversity and the proximity to the market reduces the carbon footprint, for example, of fish transportation.

With regard to the welfare of the animals in production, offshore farming benefits from currents, which simulate the natural environment of the fish, which are in a state of “sustained” swimming.

In addition, protocols relating to, for example, stocking density, enrichment and feeding are followed, reducing stress and improving the health of the species.

The aim is to produce sea bream and/or sea bass weighing 35 grams initially, with an initial production density of 3 kilograms (kg) per cubic meter ( ^m3 ). At the end of production, when the fish weigh 450 grams, densities of 25 kg/ ^m3 can be reached.

The project is part of the area defined as having potential for aquaculture production in the Maritime Spatial Planning Situation Plan (PSOEM), approved in 2019, and has the support of existing infrastructures at the VRSA Fishing Port, under the jurisdiction of Docapesca , for a building to support the activity and office and an outdoor storage space (for example, for ice production).

The Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM) is the licensing entity for the project. The Portuguese Environment Agency ( APA ) is responsible for authorising the Environmental Impact Assessment, within the scope of the ongoing procedure.

Documentation is available on the Participa Portal .