Israel Launches National Tuna Project to Domesticate Bluefin and Boost Exports
Israel launched the National Tuna Project in Eilat with a 30 million NIS investment to domesticate bluefin tuna and build a sustainable local aquaculture export industry.
A research initiative launched nearly two decades ago at the National Center for Mariculture (NCM) in Eilat has officially become the National Tuna Project. Inaugurated on Wednesday at NCM, the initiative aims to domesticate the Atlantic bluefin tuna, close the captive breeding cycle, and transform Israeli scientific knowledge into commercial production capacity and a sustainable export industry.
The project is a joint venture between the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Granot Group, the Jewish National Fund (KKL), the state-owned Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), and the Seanovation innovation center in Eilat. It received significant momentum following a 2019 government resolution. The Ministry of Agriculture allocated complementary funding of approximately 30 million NIS, alongside a parallel investment by Granot in the first phase, which will be used to establish advanced cultivation systems and infrastructure.
Breeding a Local Broodstock and Securing Food Supply
The central objective of the project is to establish a local Israeli broodstock of bluefin tuna that will reproduce under controlled conditions. This will enable an independent and continuous supply of eggs and fingerlings, followed by genetic selection and breeding.
A significant milestone was already achieved this past June during a complex logistical operation. Bluefin tuna eggs were flown from Malta to Ramon Airport in a collaborative effort involving the Eilat Municipality, the Veterinary Services, customs, and airport management. The eggs were successfully received, and dozens of fingerlings are currently swimming at NCM, intended to serve as the foundation for the local breeding nucleus.
Government Support and Strategic Vision
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative:
«Increasing local production of marine protein is a significant component in strengthening national food security; the immense advantage of tuna fish is clear to everyone.»
Ministry Director-General Oren Lavi noted that the state is investing in areas where the risk is too high for the private market alone, paving the way for a domestic aquaculture industry. NCM Director Dr. Hanna Rosenfeld added that these achievements rest on the dedication of researchers and professionals who successfully overcame exceptional scientific and technological challenges.
