In the Middle East, where arable land and freshwater are scarce, traditional farming has always faced limits. With populations growing and food demand rising, countries are turning to sustainable aquaculture—farming fish, algae, and other aquatic products in eco-friendly ways.

Sustainable aquaculture is becoming a cornerstone of food security in the region, powered by innovative technologies, climate-resilient practices, and large-scale projects. Major investments in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt reflect a shared commitment to scalable, environmentally responsible seafood production.

Innovations Driving Sustainability

Advancements like recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and AI-powered smart feeding are revolutionizing regional aquaculture. Urban fish farming setups, such as Dubai’s Aqua Towers and Moina’s Fish Aquacubes, use vertical, automated systems to grow fish and algae in urban environments—cutting reliance on imports and minimizing chemical use. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also deploying climate-resilient designs, rapid water quality diagnostics, and circular economy feed solutions.

Real-World Middle East Examples

Dubai’s Fish Farms LLC:The UAE’s flagship project uses RAS, a hatchery, and cage farms to deliver fresh seabream and other species, reducing import dependence. In 2022 alone, Fish Farms LLC produced about 2,500 tons of farmed fish and millions of fingerlings for local markets.

Saudi Arabia’s Aquaculture Expansion: The National Fisheries Development Program reported a 55.56% production increase in 2023, with goals to reach 600,000 tons of fish by 2030. Saudi projects focus on saltwater and inland aquaculture, supporting white shrimp and Nile tilapia production for both local consumption and export.

Egypt’s Ghalioun Project: As the largest fish farm in the Middle East, Ghalioun ranks seventh globally for fish farming and first in Africa. Its complex integrates shrimp and fish hatcheries, intensive farming units, and factories, aiming for annual outputs of 6,000 tons of shrimp and 13,800 tons of fish.

Red Sea Global & Blue Planet Ecosystems: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea tourism initiative is partnering with Blue Planet Ecosystems to develop urban and desert RAS systems, simulating natural aquatic ecosystems for sustainable fish production.

Oman: With its long coastline, Oman has launched major aquaculture projects, including farms for cobia and abalone, while encouraging private investment to diversify its seafood production.

United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE has invested heavily in aquaculture through initiatives like the Sheikh Khalifa Marine Research Center in Umm Al Quwain, which supports the breeding of species such as hammour (grouper), sea bream, and barramundi. Additionally, startups are experimenting with aquaponic farms in Dubai, supplying both fish and vegetables to local markets.

Impact and Future Outlook

Sustainable aquaculture is strengthening food security, creating green jobs, and helping the Middle East adapt to climate challenges.

The Middle East Aquaculture Forum in Dubai continues to showcase industry advances, driving continuous improvement and scaling of eco-innovative solutions.

By leveraging technology, resilient designs, and leading projects, sustainable aquaculture is set to nourish the Middle East, creating new opportunities for food self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship.

Conclusion: A Blue Revolution for the Desert

Sustainable aquaculture shows that farming is no longer limited to soil and rainfall. With innovation, the Middle East is transforming its deserts into hubs of fish and seafood production. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman are leading with large-scale projects, while startups and research centers are driving fresh technological breakthroughs.

Events like AgriNext in Dubai highlight how aquaculture supports both sustainability goals and food security. AgriNext Awards & Conference 2025—the second edition of the event—is scheduled for November 5–6, 2025, in Dubai. Building on its successful 2024 inauguration, the upcoming edition promises a larger audience, an expanded innovation showcase, and deeper engagement in sustainable aquaculture and Agri-Tech dialogue.

With continued innovation and investment, the Middle East is not just consuming seafood—it is producing it sustainably for the future.

Reference

Ollen–Key Trends Shaping Aquaculture in UAE, Saudi Arabia and MEA