KUWAIT CITY, Oct 8: As part of the efforts to enhance economic diversification and food security, work has commenced on a new salmon farming project within the development plan. According to information obtained by the daily about the project, the initiative aims to establish a research unit focused on farming salmon, sea bass, and shem, as well as develop techniques for farming sea bass, sea cucumber, and coral. The goal is to provide these resources to the private sector, thereby contributing to economic diversification and food security. The project, which was developed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, represents a model for a small fish production unit with a capacity of up to one million small fish.

 It seeks to develop the fish farming industry in Kuwait by providing salmon and sea bass fingerlings and exploring opportunities for producing other economically valuable marine species, including Shem, sea bass, and valuable marine organisms used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, such as sea cucumber and coral. The project also aims to enhance sustainability in production by utilizing alternative energy sources for the cultivation of sea bass juveniles. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the project is expected to significantly contribute to achieving self-sufficiency and food security through the production of marine products in Kuwait. It will provide fresh seafood and alleviate the increasing pressure on natural fish stocks by narrowing the gap between supply and demand in the local market. In addition, this initiative is anticipated to help stabilize prices for marine products, stimulate the economy, create job opportunities for Kuwaiti youth, and support related industries such as canning, marketing, and transportation.