According FAO, aquaculture in Tanzania at first introduced in late1940s. It is estimated 14,100 ponds (average size of 150 m2) freshwater fishponds integrated with other agricultural activities such as gardening and animal and bird production

1. Aquaculture production in Tanzania
By Sebastian Mosha

2. Tanzania

3. Ministry of Livestock and
Fisheries Development
Livestock Division Fisheries Division
Aquaculture Dept
Mariculture Section Freshwater Section
AQUACULTURE SECTOR

4. Introduction
• According FAO, aquaculture in Tanzania at first introduced in late1940s
• It is estimated 14,100 ponds (average size of 150 m2) freshwater
fishponds integrated with other agricultural activities such as
gardening and animal and bird production
• The distribution of fishponds in the country is determined by several
factors such as availability of water, suitable land for fish farming,
awareness and motivation within the community on the economic
potential in fish farming
• In recent years seaweed farming has become popular in some coastal
areas as a means of income generation

5. Farming systems distribution and characteristics
• Most farmers own small ponds of an average size of 150 m2 , covering an
estimated 221.5 ha.
• However, there are four regions which have more than 1,000 fish ponds
each, Ruvuma (4,942), Iringa (3,137), Mbeya (1,176) and Kilimanjaro
(1,660).
• Use of land for fish farming is restricted to some specified areas where
water is managed by water rights stipulated under the water policy.
• Fish farmers use animal manure as the main source of fertilizer for their
fish ponds.
• Most farmers use feeds such as domestic leftovers, maize bran, wheat
bran, vegetables and wild grass.
• Fish ponds are the predominant production system with only one farm
using raceways, for the culture of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss ).

6. Cultured Species
• Both indigenous and introduced sp are used or have been used in fish
farming
• In Tz fish farming is almost totally dominated by the tilapias and species
belonging to the genus Oreochromis, African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).
• Other species with potential for use in aquaculture include some of the other
finfish and shellfish in the brackish and marine waters, such as the milkfish
(Chanos chanos) and the flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus).
• The culturable shellfish include shrimp of the family Penaeidae, molluscs,
crabs, oysters and mussels.
• Species of seaweed farmed in the country are the Eucheuma spinosum,
Kappaphycus cottonni and E. striatum which was introduced from Zanzibar
and originally came from the Phillipines.

7. Systems of Culture
• Culture practices are ponds, small tanks and the single raceway.
• Tilapia and catfish are usually farmed in ponds and tanks.
• Rainbow trout cultured in race ways.
• In seaweed farming farmers practice the fixed off-bottom method. The
raft method has also been tried on an experimental basis in the Tanga
region.
• Cage culture is under trials

8. Production

10. Fish species Estimated production per annual
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) 1,522.8 tonnes
Rainbow Trout (Onchoryncus mykiss) 7 tonnes
Seaweed culture (Eucheuma spinosum and E.
cotonnii)
1,500 tonnes (2006) to 6,000 metric tonnes
(2009)
Shrimps 11,000 metric tonnes
Mud crab (Scylla seratta) 1 tonnes
Milkfish (Channos channos) 7 tonnes
African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Not documented
Valued in US $
1,327,637.30
18,308.63
209,241

11. Contribution to Economy
• The contribution of the aquaculture sector to national food security
and economic development is still insignificant (1.4% GDP).
• Annual farmed fish production is extrapolated at 1,522.80 tonnes.
• This is about 0.435 percent of the average annual fish landings which
is around 350 000 tonnes.
• The impact on poverty alleviation is therefore also insignificant.
• However, the possibility of an adverse impact on the environment is
minimised since it is still at subsistence level.

12. Benefits derived from aquaculture in Tanzania
• Source of protein in national diets (Figure
5).
• Provide employment opportunities and is a
source of income (Wetengere, 2009)
• Improve living standards of the rural
population
Figure 5. Fish protein consumption
Source: Allison et al., (2009)

13. Possible reasons why aquaculture production is
low in Tanzania
• The contribution of the aquaculture sector to national food security and
economic development is still insignificant.
• Compare to resources, aquaculture production in Tz is still low due to the
following;
a/ Largely a subsistence activity practiced by poor households
b/ Low emphasis from the government
c/ Contradiction of policies, example. Fisheries policy and water resource
policy

14. Challenges facing Aquaculture sector in Tz
•Low level of technology adoption
Small size ponds likened to holes
•Poor quality seeds despite there
some governmental and private
hatcheries
Wild sources, e.g. African Catfish
•Low inputs allocation in terms of:
feeds (Wetengere, 2008).

15. Conclusion
• Aquatic food products represent one of the world’s most nutritious &
healthy food sources.
• According to the FAO/WHO (2011) Fish consumption reduces the
risk :
Death from coronary heart diseases such as stroke.
Suboptimal neurodevelopment in offspring for pregnant women .

16. Recommendation on species
• Emphasis on species feeding low on the
aquatic food chain
• Farming of lower-cost fish species. i.e. catfish
• Encourage allocation and utilization of fish
resources in rural community.
• Promote private investment in fish
production, processing and marketing
(MNRT, 1997).
• Promotion of farmed aquatic plants in coastal
communities. i.e sea weed

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