This year, mollusk exports from Georgia hit a record low, - according to official data from Geostat.
Mamuka Mikashavidze, the founder of Maricultura Georgia declares that since the harvesting of seafood in general is not regulated at the legislative level in the country, wild harvesting has prevented the multiplication of products. Mamuka Mikashavidze says that negotiations are currently underway with the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia regarding the harvesting of mariculture. In order for the harvesting of products to be carried out within the framework of the law. In addition, farms should be created where these products will be harvested legally.
"The mussel harvesting season starts in May, the products are harvested in the wild, so seafood has been destroyed and there is no longer any quantity. Therefore, it is necessary that the harvesting of mollusks and other seafood be regulated at the legislative level and that it be harvested on farms.
We are in talks with the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry has allocated zones throughout the sea area where mussels and fish can be cultivated. 9 zones have been allocated from Anaklia to Adjara," says Mamuka Mikashavidze.
It is worth noting that in 2024, 270 tons of mollusks worth 1.8 million USD were exported from Georgia to abroad.
