Aquaculture

Most freshwater fish farms in tropical Africa operate with minimum investment and infrastructure. Despite this, many are doing well. What, then, defines ‘success’ in aquaculture?

Aquaponics is a mutually beneficial system. It is a great way of farming fish and growing plants organically – hence its increasing popularity in SA.

South Africa’s fledgling tilapia industry has now reached a stage where it needs to be able to speak to funding agencies and the government with one voice.

Good husbandry, economically viable feeding and correct system design are the key to pond farming.

The tilapia industry is still in its infancy in South Africa, but is a lucrative investment with potential as a quality source of protein. Until markets are properly developed, the industry remains stagnant, but markets will not grow if supply is not assured. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

Aquaculture is far more diverse than many realise. The practice can vary in size, technique and breeds.

Tilapia are hardy, but survival is one thing and fast growth another – and in culture units poor performance is invariably due to poor husbandry.

All too often, even well-built, hi-tech grow-out systems are let down by inadequate filtration.

Techniques to produce all-male fingerlings are now an established part of tilapia culture and the use of mixed-sex groups is a backward step doomed to failure in any undertaking.

With tilapia culture new to South Africa, many entrepreneurs want to start small with a pilot project before investing substantial capital. This makes sense and is entirely possible.

There are important issues to consider before taking on the breeding of tilapia.

To answer this question, we first need to see what successful producers are doing elsewhere.