Applications for licenses to operate in the Mirs Bay fish culture zone are open from now until April 30, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department announced today.

The department outlined that the Mirs Bay fish culture zone is located in open waters with favourable currents, making it suitable for the adoption of modern aquaculture facilities and technologies – including steel truss cages and high-density polyethylene gravity-type cages, which have strong wind and wave resistance.

It said the establishment of new fish culture zones enables the aquaculture industry to operate intensively, and to transition towards modernised and sustainable operations.

Interested parties hoping to operate in the Mirs Bay fish culture zone may consider applying for marine fish culture licences, either with the help of funding from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund or through self-financed mariculture businesses.

A briefing session will be held on February 13 to introduce the application process and licensing requirements.