Cypriot officials recently inaugurated two innovative floating fish feeding systems, marking a significant step forward for the country’s aquaculture industry. The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, alongside the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanoli, attended the launch of the structures, developed by Levantina Fish, in the Vasilikos sea area on Saturday.

These automated feeding systems, the first of their kind in Cyprus, are expected to significantly enhance efficiency and sustainability in the sector. "This innovative system provides simultaneous and controlled feed distribution to the fish," stated Panayiotou, commending Levantina Fish owner Antonis Kimonides for his initiative. She reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the aquaculture industry—Cyprus's third-largest export sector—through various funding and development programs.

Deputy Minister Hadjimanoli expressed pride in Levantina Fish, a Cypriot company with a 35-year history, for its pioneering spirit and international recognition in developing innovative solutions. "These successes will undoubtedly continue in the future," she said. She also highlighted the environmental benefits of the new structures, emphasizing their contribution to reducing marine pollution, a key priority for the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.

The floating systems, larger and more robust than a prototype launched two years ago, can feed up to three million fish simultaneously across eight cages. This targeted feeding method minimizes waste and reduces environmental impact, noted Kimonides. The design of the structures also minimizes wave resistance and allows for easy monitoring of the fish feeding process.

Both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Deputy Ministry of Shipping welcomed this initiative, emphasizing its alignment with their shared commitment to environmental protection and the sustainable development of Cyprus’s aquaculture industry.