Aquaculture round-up
Tilapia farming methods in Mozambique
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by Dr Gianluigi Negroni, ALVEO S.c.a.r.l, Italy
he main species farmed is in Mozambique is Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), in addition Tilapia mossambicus is more suited to the environment in this country due to better resistance to disease and the difficult conditions present in said area. Tilapia is the common name for a vast number of freshwater fishes of the family Cichlid. This is one of the largest families of fishes, containing more than 1,800 members, some of them in use in aquaculture. Members of the family range from very small ornamental species used in the aquarium industry to large food-size species rose in the fish-farming industry. Tilapia hatcheries can be highly technical for industrial purposes or less technologically intensive, in the form of simpler structures. In Mozambique, we have the two types as there are several communal famers that produce their own fingerlings. Industrial hatcheries are normally divided in the
following sections: quarantine area, broodstock tanks, spawning tanks, corral systems, reproduction ponds, eggs and larval rearing systems, fry tanks, fingerling tanks, filter and water inlet/outlets, warehouses and services areas.
Earthen ponds
Earthen ponds are more commonly used in Mozambique for tilapia farming and represent the oldest fish farming facility that has been used for many generations. A good pond will showcase the following characteristics: • A well-designed water supply but also easy drainage. This means a slight slope (0.5%) of the pond floor from the water inlet to the drainage point • Good water quality (pH around 6)
Table 1: Aquaculture types of production Facilities
Extensive
Semiintensive
Intensive
Aquaculture type
Earthen Ponds
Yes
Yes
No
Commercial, artisan
Tanks
No
Yes
Yes
Commercial
Concrete Ponds*
No
Yes
Yes
Commercial
Raceway**
No
Yes
Yes
Commercial
Cages
No
Yes
Yes
Commercial
*Possible with geo-membrane ** not yet developed in Mozambique The main species farmed is Tilapia nilotica
36 | June 2020 - International Aquafeed