Libya is set to increase seafood exports to European markets through a new Italian-Libyan joint venture, marking a major step in modernising the country’s fishing industry and boosting its export revenue.

The venture, Mediterranean Bridge, is a partnership between Italy’s Medina and Libya’s Al-Rubyan Fishing Company. Operating out of the Misrata Free Zone, it will establish a modern processing and packaging facility that incorporates advanced digital technologies to improve product quality and operational efficiency.

Italian businessman Nicholas Giacalone, speaking to the Italian news agency Nova, said the project aims to transfer technical expertise to Libya. Vocational training programmes will be offered to young fishermen, combining classroom instruction with practical experience at sea to build skills and capacity within the domestic workforce.

A joint brand, Marsablo, will certify seafood products that meet international standards for sustainability, food safety, and quality. The certification is intended to enhance market value and strengthen the appeal of Libyan exports in European markets.

The venture’s first phase involves a survey of fish stocks along the coast between Sirte and western Tripoli using trawl survey technology. Giacalone noted that the operation will employ nets designed to protect turtles and other endangered species by keeping them elevated above the seabed, reflecting the project’s commitment to sustainable fishing practices.

Officials and investors view the venture as a strategic move to attract foreign investment, create employment in coastal communities, and modernise Libya’s seafood production capabilities.