Determinants of competitive advantage in tuna farming industry in Croatia

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to gain a wide picture of competitive aspect of tuna farming industry, show its impact on the economy and society in Croatia, and to identify possibilities for improvement of current and future industry‐involved companies.Design/methodology/approachResearch methodology used was desk research using benchmark of relevant published papers and analysis of official statistical data. Based on information gathered, the author developed its own analysis of a current state in the industry.FindingsThe paper provides an overview of tuna farming industry in Croatia, showing place for increasing the production due to stable demand but also the unused demand in domestic market. Still, there are a lot of barriers as a legal regulations, limited space and lack of supporting industries. With the involvement of companies and the country's representative bodies, the industry has potential to develop into stable economic activity.Social implicationsTuna farming is based on seacoast and thus improves the demographical picture of those, usually sparsely populated areas. Also, it encourages the fishery of small pelagic fish.Originality/valueThe paper analyses tuna farming industry from its economic aspects, providing information and the base for further research of its economic potential and attraction.

COVID-19 lockdowns reveal the resilience of Adriatic Sea fisheries to forced fishing effort reduction

“…Notably, the bluefin tuna farming industry has been flourishing in the Croatian islands since 2000 34 and its production volume doubled between 2014 and 2018 35 . In this industry, part of the feed consists of local small pelagic fish 36 , whose demand was probably stable also during the lockdowns. As regards vessel presence in the Adriatic, the slight reduction of registered EU vessels in 2020 with respect to 2019 (− 0.2%, from 931 to 926 ships, Table 2 ) was not an effect of the pandemic.…”