Fish farming and cultural understanding. Cage farming of tilapia. Lessons learned

Launching a 70m cage at Isla Ometepe, Lake Nicaragua

Farmed TilapiaNiloticus (Black tilapia) 75% of world

productionMossambicus/Aureus

(Red tilapia)

Tilapia farmingMore than 5 mill tons in 2014

China no. 1.

Much for domestic consumption

Cage farming gives better quality.

Cage production is expanding.

Lakes and reservoirs very sutitable.

Positive of cage farmingDoes well in cages.

Norwegian technology functiones well

With good conditions it has good growth and acceptable FCR.

Small scale cage farming

Industrial Cage farming of tilapia

Feed is more than 60% of production cost

Upscaling60 kg/m3 cannot be transfered to large cages.

The water exchange is done trough the net panel.

The tilapia shall not only survive it shall perform at its best.

Equipment is not the biggest cost in cage farming.

Large industrially produced cages are cost effective, environmental friendly and long lasting.

ChallengesEnvironment

Diseases and mortality

Escapes

Quality of fry

Fish feed

Fish fry

GIFT5 grams to 1kg in 6 months

FCR of 1,35

Less than 5% mortality

High Filet yield

Tolerates brackish water

Equipment

EquipmentThings have to fit together

Much of the operations are done manually

Spare parts for techical equipment

Not necesarry with Norwegian dimensions

Never forget the software

Remember the tropics (sun, fouling etc)

Equipment

Changing nets in Lake Volta, Ghana

NegativeInvasive, can have negative

biological impact

Pollution and Eutrofication

Use of antibiotics and chemicals

Cultural challenges

When in Rome, do as the romans

ManagementImportant to remember:

Often the transition time from foreign to local management is too short, min 3-4 years.

Responsibilty is given to the workers.

Make sure the reasons and methods for routines and working operations are understood.

Most of the time you get what you pay for.

Employment is less than 10% of production cost

Social responsibiltyThe company should be a part of the society

Important to spread the employment locally.

Employment of women if possible

Try to avoid corruption and be transparent

Adjust most things to local conditions, but never those that are essensial for the success of the operation

Be a happy fish farmer

There is alway a cold beer waiting in the end of a long hot day (texan saying)