AQUACULTURE
From page 14
genetically selected for good
feed conversion, fast growth
But why use an imported
and hardiness, in much the
species such as Nile tilapia
same way that commercial
when we have our own
broiler chickens have been
tilapia species, O
developed for their speed of
mossambicus, swimming in
growth. Thus, they reach a
our streams and rivers, more
harvestable size much quicker
commonly known as blue
kurper? Simple, says Fincham: than O mossambicus.
Fincham, who has been
Commercially bred O
passionate about the developniloticus (and there are red
and black varieties) have been ment of a tilapia farming
industry in southern Africa for
many years, says not enough
is being done by the South
African government to assist
farmers to establish
aquaculture enterprises,
neither by way of active
support in the form of grants
and aid, nor by way of
training and education nor,
indeed, by way of simplifying
some of the onerous statutory
requirements such as the
myriad permits and permissions
required for
larger
commercial
operations.
Much of
their work,
therefore,
comes from
countries
north of
South Africa,
for which the
compact,
easily-
transported Farminabox
system is ideal. Nevertheless,
his company maintains a full
tilapia production unit in
Muldersdrift, capable of
supplying fingerlings and fish
of various sizes at all times, as
well as training and support
to aspirant fish farmers.
For more information: David
Fincham Aquaculture, tel
082 048-3382 visit the
website
www.tilapiafarming.co.za
Red Oreochromis niloticus fry
20
www.sasmallholder.co.za