Tilapia Fish Farming
An interesting discussion on tilapia farming and/or mariculture has started on the DLIST ASCLME website. I have taken the liberty to post this discussion on the DLIST BCLME as there is a potential for mariculture activities in coastal communities within the BCLME region.
Umaymah
Posted Wed, 2011-09-21 16:26 by Joe
Tilapia is a common species for aquaculture. Throughout worldwide, there are thousands and thousands of small fish scale farmers culturing Tilapia. In Africa Tilapia fish farming is growing rapidly. But, on other hand most of the failures from small scale farmers in culturing these species it mostly results from luck of knowledge and lack of good management in these various projects.
I am a person who’s trying my best to enter in a farm business of culturing Tilapia. I have knowledge and skills about fish (Tilapia) and fresh water fish farming. Ranging from biological futures, behaviors, and adaptation of Tilapia species. Currently, I am planning to establish a Tilapia fish farm project up north of Namibia in Kavango region. The region is having a sustainable fresh water river called Kavango River, which will be my water source point.
Thus, in general, I would like to get new ideas from where I can start. Currently, I am on my site selection stage. Anyone who can help me to go through these plans by providing me step by step procedures that I can take to reach my stage Z in this process. I believe posting my request on this site, from expertise from different directions will have a touch filling from this.
I would be highly appreciated to hear from you every one out there, togather we can take aquacultuere in africa on top.
Best regards,
Joe
RE: DLIST ASCLME: Tilapia Fish Farm
by Francois - 2011-09-21 17:55
Dear Joe
Your posting re Fish Farming is extremely interesting. The DLIST discussion forum reaches many coastal communities, donors, government players, etc. Fish farming and mariculture is a hot topic, as various parties see this as potentially income generating projects for communities, or at the very least there is a belief that fish farming provide better food security than what one gets from only using the naturally occurring and uncultivated resources. I know that on the East Coast of Africa there are various attempts at mariculture at a community-based level, including some successful cases. Now, your posting was on the DLIST Agulhas and Somali Currents list, and it may also generate interest on the other side of Africa, namely the Benguela Current side. I see that you work with Tilapia - do you know of successful operations in the coastal areas? I think especially in Angola can this work very well, where there is a lot of fresh water, and I know there is a lot of interest there in demonstration sites for mariculture and aquaculture, so hopefully the DLIST administrators will pick up on this and cross-post your entry and my reply on the DLIST Benguela list also. Let's see what happens. Tell us more about your experience also.
Francois
Tilapia Fish Farming
Currently, I do Water Quality Monitoring Programme for Shellfish along the Namibian coast. So far people are still planning and discussing on how to achieve to culture fresh water Tilapia species in marine environment. But it’s not yet in practice. Thus, I don’t have a concrete success story about it. But on fresh water, yes there are a lot of success stories on culturing Tilapia in Namibia. Only that, all the projects are owned by the Government. This encouraged me to establish a private project that will give an example to others on how to go in this business. I wish myself a successes on this kind of a project I want to implement.
Back to myself, I am 31 years old, born in 30 August 1980 in Namibia, in the region called Kavango region. I am a degree holder in Marine and Aquatic science obtained from University of Namibia (UNAM). I graduated in 2008. Currently, I am working in the government (Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources), directorate of Aquaculture and section of Research, Disease and Quality Control as a Fisheries Research Technician along Namibian coast of Swakopmund. And I am in a plan to do my Master in Aquatic science next year 2012 at UNAM.
Throughout my study, Math, Physics and Biology were my favorite subjects. This encouraged me to do a science course at the university. During my studies I was granted a chance to go on my field attachments during my 3rd and 4th year of my study, I was attached to work at some of the fish farms projects (Culturing Tilapia species) at the Northern part of the country (in my home region). Because of my interest, skills and knowledge I was having, I was told to work there during my holidays time. Through this practical work, it inspired me to have my own fish farm one day. I decided to acquire more knowledge in fish farm projects. I was asking myself a lot of questions. Since, I have skills and knowledge on what the fish farm project is all about, and besides that, we have a clean fresh water river (Kavango river) beside us in our region. All these thinking made me to have a concrete believe that I can do it. I will have my fish farm one day. I can bring Tilapia fish farming on top in my country Namibia. Currently, we are on less than 20% of the population culturing fish species at least at a small scale level (Individually) in Namibia.
So far, I have made a feasibility study on my site selection. I have a perfect good site with a good landscape for my fish farm. Now I am in a plan of preparing my Business plan for my fish farm. Afterwards, is the time I will see how to start my fish farm and how to get money to implement my project. But I wish and wish with my heart to have my fish farm and that is my dream to run and manage such kind of the business. So that, one day when I will have a family, I will be with them on our farm and manage it.
That is why when I read through all these discussions on DLIST Agulhas and Somali and DLIST Benguela, I found out that some expertise and experienced people I can talk to. People who went through all these types of challenges before, to give me advice and support on how to start such kind of a business. Based on the experiences and challenges they went through when they were at my level, while at the same time deep down their heart they have such an idea of starting a fish farm. I know and believe that they were filing/having same fillings as that I have now.
Thanks for your time everyone, this is what I have for you about myself and my plans and will be glad to hear from you.
Regards,
Joe
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
Hi Joe It is a pleasure to read your e-mail and I am here to encourage you to move forward, because your ambition and dream are also mine. I am the DG (General Director) of Artisanal fisheries Institute in Angola. My institution is dealing with artisanal fisheries (sea and freshwater) and aquaculture. I was appointed as DG
since January this year and my priority is aquaculture, because aquaculture is the hope for food security in Africa. May I tell you Angola is at the very begining, but I am confident for what I am doing now. I have already contacted one specialist in aquaculture , particularly in catfish from Nigeria. We have gone through for all aspects, then we are going to start culturing catfish at the end of October. The fingerlings and broodstock will come from Nigeria. For the first year, feed will come from the Netherlands. After the implementation of culturing catfish we are going to move to tilapia, then I will contact somebody from Ghana. That means I am using the opportunity of south-south cooperation. The two countries have a very good experience, catfish (Nigeria) and tilapia (Ghana). Please do not be afraid and be strong. Kind regardsNkosi
Tilapia Fish Farming
Dear Dlisters
Thank you for your encouragements regarding the Tilapia farming. I really feel I have a confident to do it now and I will do it if things will be possible for me. That’s good to hear how Angola is progressing slowly but surely. Yes, it’s the thing people have to put in consideration that aquaculture is something very interested and important in our life. Aquaculture is the hope for food security in Africa thus, we have to keep it burning to the maximum. The more/little knowledge we have can make a different, to put aquaculture on top in Africa. I also believe that capacity building in aquaculture is very important for the time being in Africa". Running a project, Capacity building, time timing, planning and management are some of the key elements to consider. Some of us we have the knowledge, but we don't have chances to go in the sector to perform, but some they have that chances but they don't go further with it, because of lack of knowledge. That's the same thing I mentioned earlier at the beginning some few months ago that, other hand most of the failures from small scale farmers in culturing these species its mostly results from lack of knowledge and lack of good management in these various projects. Nkosi how far are you with your catfish culturing now in Angola? Since, you were planning to start in last October. And when are you planning to start with Tilapia, according to your plans.
Re: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
Dear All,
It is good to hear from nice people like you who are determined to make aquaculture
work for all of us. It is becoming a business venture for many Africans and a hobby
for others. Here in Ghana, farms a springing up along the lakes and rivers.
Fresh fish marketing shops are upmerging along the streets. The biggest problem
of Africa is how to create job avenues. This is the right step towards attaining
such goals. I wish to encourage you all to keep the spirit of filling the
African basket full all the time so that we lack nothing anymore.
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
Dear Dlisters
Thank you very much for your attention. I am still battling to convince the politicians to deliver the money. I am hoping next year I will start culturing the catfish. This project I am contracting a brother from Nigeria. This brother is running a company called FELIMAR AQUACULTURE, culturing catfish. According to his proposals, before we start we need more than USD 100 000,00. In order to have this amount in my country I have to move a long way. But I am trusting God that next year things will be on track. I am also planning to visit Nigeria and Ghana next year for getting some experience about aquaculture. It is indeed a challenge for the African countries for the next twenty years, FAO is predicting a shortage of food in many continents. Please, let us keep in touch in order to find easy solutions for Africa.
Kind Regards
Nkosi
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
Dear Nkosi
The amount of $100 000 US sounds very high to start a catfish operation, especially if one starts small. I know they had catfish operations in Northern Namibia and some other places. I will ask the DLIST team to look around a little. If I recall correctly, the operations are much simpler than some of the other operations - provided the right habitat is available. Some of the mariculture operations can be complicated, including oysters but also abalone, because they can get diseases, transport to specialised seafood markets can be tricky or prohibitively expensive, etc. But catfish is different, as the intention is to combat local food insecurity. Yes, food shortages are predicted in many countries. It is really sad, and one wish that those who do the predictions can divert some more direct action funding to the ground. But in the meanwhile everyone needs to work together to try and avert wide-spread misery.
Francois
Tilapia Fish Farming
I carry your voice Francois, the amount $100 000 US, is a heavy amount to start with, which can results in many withdrawal of something from the project due to money budget if that huge amount will not land in the country as planned.
Somewhere somehow, one of the portions in the project activities cover more a lot expenses in the plan. These types of proposals are very sensitive. Therefore, it’s a big score if a thing goes according to plans, but, if the amount will not be available as required, than the project is not in secure side. Then, the next step will be far away from implementing point. These are type of things we can consider, for some of us who are in a circle of proposals and plans regarding such kind of a starting points. On my point of view.
Best regards,
Joe
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
Dear François,
Thank you for your suggestion. But this amount includes feed, transportation of fingerlings, adult stock, consultancy fee and overheads. Once again thank you for your suggestion. About feed for the first time we have to buy it from the Netherlands.
Kind regards
Nkosi
Tilapia Fish Farming: lessons from Uis, Namibia
Tilapia Fish Farming has generated quite a lot of interest on DLIST platform in the last quarter of 2011. A need was identified to research further on inland aquaculture, and share with the wider community on DLIST. On the 22 of December the DLIST team/IKM visited the Uis Fish Farm Ecotourism Enterprise in order to document projects/ stories within the inland aquaculture, and investigate and document the model on which the UFFETE operates. During the visit, one of the technical assistants, Mr. Paulus Lucas gave a tour of the operation and shared some of his experiences with IKM. Below is summary information about the tilapia fish farm in Uis, deduced from the conversation with Mr. Paulus Lucas, as well as also some notes provided by Mr. Kalenga (the Enterprise Manager).
Background:
Once historically renowned for the it’s high trade tin ore in the 1920’s to the 80’s, Uis settlement is now home to a Youth ran inland fresh water fish farm. The Uis Fish Farm Ecotourism Enterprise (UFFETE) was conceptualised in 2009 and inaugurated in September 2010 by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marines Resources. UFFETE is a Youth project involved in Tilapia farming in cages in Pont freshwater lake (a few kilometres outside Uis). The fish farm is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Youth, National Services, Sport and Culture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and the Uis Settlement Council. The project was initiated to create employment for the Youths in the Uis Settlement, as well as improve the economic cycle in the constituency. To kick start the tilapia farming, the youth project received funding from the Japanese Government, through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) amounting to about N$500 000 (U$62500) to buy the fingerlings, two boats and cover other project related expenses and materials.
The Aim of the fish farm is to:
• Empower rural youth with relevant skills and knowledge in fish farming
• Create employment for young people in order to generate income to sustain themselves
• Improve the living standard of people in Namibia by alleviating poverty in Uis community and ensure food security in the country as whole
• Foster proper up-bringing of young women and men to become responsible citizens
• Enable young men and women to initiate actions that promote their own development and their communities
Infrastructure and materials:
The farm has four fish cages submerged in a freshwater lake (which is rain fed), and the cages are 6 x 6 meters wide and 4 meters deep. At the moment, only one cage is farmed with about 17 000 tilapia fish which will be ready for harvest in January 2012. The farm is also equipped with motor boats and two freezers, while transport to and from the lake and the office is provided by the Uis Settlement’s vehicle.
Funding:
The initial funding and running costs were/are provided by the Japanese Government through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency . The Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture has provided some living allowance to the Youth while they are waiting for their first harvest in January, while the Uis Settlement Council is providing in-kind support, e.g. use of vehicle.
Institutional Management Structure:
The farm started off with 10 Youth, and all received training from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. Currently, the farm is run by 9 Youth comprised of an Enterprise Manager (Michael Kalenga), Farm Manager (Clemens Emel Matsuib), Finance/Administration Manager (Elizabeth Touros), Public Relation Officer (Barend Gurirab) and five Technical Assistants (Paulus Lucas, Isabella B. !Horases, Gideoline Memory Goses, Dennis Eshi Guidao-Oab and Helma Shikongo).
Training and Skills Development:
All the Youth running the aquaculture centre did not have any background in aquaculture development, However, the team members received training at the Hardap aquaculture centre under the auspices of MFMR on “how to start fish farming and safety. The Youth also receives refresher courses, for example they recently attended training in Kavango Region.
Access to markets:
Although their first harvest is only expected in January 2012, it is envisaged that the yield is targeted for the local market for the time being. Although it is understood that the Namibian Fish Consumption Promotion Trust’s (NFCPT) will buy most of the initial stock, the long term goal is to distribute to regions across the country and beyond.
Challenges:
• At the beginning of the project the fingerlings acquired from Hardap Inland Fish Institute showed a sign of high mortality, and the Youth were eventually forced to dump all the fingerlings, and acquired new fingerlings from Epalela Fish Farm
• Transport to the lake twice a day (to carry fish feed and the motor) can be challenging since they rely on transport from the Uis Settlement Council – if the vehicle from Uis Settlement Council is not available, then feeding becomes a challenge
• Communication equipment like computers - because Uis Village council gave the project an office space within the council building were by the project operate from
• Marketing and Routine harvest advices needed for the project sustainability
• Commitment of the youth due to lack adequate financial support while waiting for the first harvest
Initial experiences as told by Paulus Lucas – Technical Assistant:
After completing his Grade 10 in Uis, Paulus helped around Uis settlement (for examples cleaning people’s yards). With no background in aquaculture, Paulus received training together with the other fellow Youth - he is now one of the technical assistants at the farm. He feels that his general skills have improved so much since he became part of this initiative. In his home language Paulus was excited to say that “Aquaculture is a good thing if you are dedicated, and it brings great opportunities in the long term. He further noted that fish farming is good for improving Namibia’s self sufficiency for long term food security. Lucas is also grateful that Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources could provide him and his fellow team members training on tilapia farming.
Future plans for UFFETE:
The ideal plan for UFFETE is to have the four cages operating at the same time - by putting all the four cages to use so that more than one harvest per year could be attained. The Youth also plan to implement the ecotourism component of the project. The project plan on taking on tourists to the fish cages as well as provide information on aquaculture to tourists.
Contacts:
For more information, please contact the Enterprise Manager Mr. Kalenga at uffete@gmail.com or the Directorate of Aquaculture at the MFMR, Ms. Katrina Hilundwa at takatu08@gmail.com or Tel: +26461 205 3021
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
Hi Nkluyeye. This email, I did not read it but I think fish farming can help lots of South Africans for a better style of living to fight poverty. Also our people can experience the opportunity and even our young black generations to come may have more chance to allow the fish to grow.
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
Hi Veronica, It is nice to hear from you. Veronica this is the time to revolutionize Africa, our mother continent. Let me tell you that aquaculture is easy and it is a roadmap for african countries to create more jobs for the erradication of poverty. Let's join our ideas and create a platform for dialogue about the future of aquaculture in Africa.
Cheers
NKOSI
Look to Malawi
Interesting thread. Fish farming does have a lot of potential. Since moving up to Malawi and starting up the Maru Research Center earlier this year one of the "hot topics," as Francois says, that we've been looking into is the history of aquacultural development projects in Malawi. With over 20% of its landmass covered by fresh water bodies, Malawi has always been seen as an ideal place for such projects. The fish people at Rhodes University down in Grahamstown have a long history of involvement with these projects and would probably be great to talk to about the potential in other African countries.
I would caution a little bit, however. At least if one reads the Malawian aquacultural project reports, aquaculture is certainly not "easy." Of course it depends on what your goals are. If you are wanting to help the rural poor to supplement their existing subsistence agricultural practices to improve their diet and provide a small amount of excess for sale then the literature seems to say basic aquaculture farms are a viable way to do that. However if you are looking for ways to put more cash into the rural poor's hands then commercial-level aquaculture is a very tricky business and the literature does not provide a lot of room for optimism. Such commercial-grade aquaculture requires a lot of training, good transport networks, facilities that are able to produce high-quality fry, availability of feed, expensive and technical water quality monitoring equipment, and long-term breeding programs for target species.
Here are few documents to read through if you are interested in the topic.
http://www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/WF_1102.pdf
http://web.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=51083066&piPK=5108...
And here is a short interview with Tom Shipton from Rhodes.
http://ipsnews.net/africa/nota.asp?idnews=42610
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
I agree with you that industrial aquaculture is not for everybody. This is a business matter, if somebody wants to move into industrial aquaculture, the first thing is to organise enough money. When I say enough money is really enough money. However there are three types of Aquaculture namely: artisanal/rural, medium and industrial. The first one is very important for the rural people in order to add something to the agriculture income. Both artisanal and medium are not very complicated if people can be equipped in term of education. That means capacity building in aquaculture is very important for the time being in Africa. Let build this capacity in Africa as a team in order to fight hunger and poverty.
God bless you
Nkosi (Angola)
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
You need to farm new species not just tilapia or catfish . I can get you good tilapia from china for 1.50 a kilo how you going to make money on them? Is much other fish easy to farm some woth 5 times as much money . Try something new , be a leader not a follower if you want to make money .
Back in Canada farming of Salmon started there . The first men to get into it made millions and millions . Then came Norway , Chili , Scottland all doing the same thing prices dropped severe and only the strong well finaced could survive . You need to lead in new speices not just copy what the world is doing every where .
The real money is in salt water aquaculture in big cages in the ocean , single farms can make millions of dollars . shellfish aquaculture can be very good too . as far as fresh water farming you need new species , valuable ones . I think american eel be big in africa , stripe bass , yellow perch all very high priced fish .
Salt water ? Cobia going to go bigger then Salmon farming ! Salmon farming was 100 million a year industry just in New brunswick alone in Canada . Cobia farming going to go big !! Norway already going at it in Belize . Will be hundreds of millions made at Cobia farming as they grow extreem fast .
Africa needs to start leading in somethings . Farm something the rest is not doing . Be smart .
RE: DLIST Benguela: Tilapia Fish Farming
Tilapia fish farming could help to create jobs opportunities to the people, especially coastal communities as they lack access to resources.Currently there are no projects in coastal communities like HoutBay. Tilapia farming could help to eradicate poverty and minimize poaching .It could also give practical knowledge of the importance of marine resources to the youth . If the coastal communities could be involved in such a project crime could be minimized, because crime in coastal communities is mainly caused by lack of activities.
I have seen several conserved areas in coastal areas, those areas could be used for projects such as fish farming. The project like this can start for a short term , then if it goes well it can continue for a long term. Once the project is there, there should be people to monitor the sustainable use of marine resources .