A comprehensive approach to strategic planning for marine aquaculture in Egypt: SWOT-AHP analysis

Abstract

Egypt, a leading producer of aquaculture in the Mediterranean, faces challenges in developing its marine aquaculture sector. To address these issues, this study utilized the SWOT-AHP methodology for a quantitative assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Interviews were conducted with 26 experts, including marine fish farmers, academics, and officials. The results revealed Egypt's global leadership as the largest producer of meagre and the third-largest producer of marine species such as seabass and seabream. This success can be attributed to strengths such as competitive pricing for meagre, extended marine aquaculture sites, suitable weather conditions, and moderate winters not available to competitors, contributing to the production of high-quality marine fish with a large market size. This provides a significant marketing opportunity when focusing on this high-priced large-size category. However, experts' concerns about the development of marine aquaculture lead them to believe that weaknesses and threats outweigh strengths and opportunities. These concerns include reliance on limited and costly trash fish, a decrease in demand for aquafeed due to rising prices, poor water quality, and a dependency on wild seeds. Pollution and climate change are also major concerns. In summary, the implementation of the SWOT-AHP approach ensures the development of an effective strategic plan for marine aquaculture in Egypt. This approach contributes to maximizing opportunities and addressing challenges that may hinder the sector's future growth. Collaborative execution among stakeholders (farmers, academics, and officials) is expected to facilitate a transition to sustainable practices, promoting innovation, and continuous improvement of the strategy.