The finfish mariculture industry comprises approximately 490 production units operating in about 11 countries of the Mediterranean basin. This new aquaculture industry followed an amazing development over the last ten years and the present (1994) level of production (29,000 t) is forecast to reach 40,000 tons by 1996. At the forefront of this impressive development is Greece with a market share of 42 per cent. The cost of producing fry as well as market size fish will play a significant role for the welfare of the industry. The cost of marine fry production shows considerable variation depending on the size of the hatchery and its output, with investment varying considerably from project to project. Larger hatcheries have a cost advantage if output is high, but a cost disadvantage if output is low. The cost of producing market size fish has dropped on average by 35 per cent in Ecu, over the last 6 year period. Small and especially medium size farms will face a lot of difficulties, in the near future, to compete with an industrial scale operation, vertically integrated, with own financial resources and professionally managed. Fry and market size fish prices decreased by 65 per cent and 53 per cent respectively, over the last 6 year period. Therefore, the profit margin is declining. Demand is expected to extend more severe pressure for lower prices with direct effect on the profitability of the enterprises. On the market side, since the market is becoming more and more competitive, as consumers and trade customers are more demanding in terms of product quality, consistency and reliability of supplies, it is inevitable that more sophisticated marketing methods should be adopted in the near future.