Seafood farming or aquaculture has received much attention in sub-Saharan Africa. During a recent Gather To Grow session on Twitter, experts unpacked the ins and outs of aquaculture.
Breaking down the term aquaculture, production scientist at the Northern Cape department of agriculture, environmental affairs, rural development and land reform, Natalie Van Wyk, said it involved the rearing of aquatic animals from fish to crustaceans, shellfish and more.
Van Wyk explained that fish can be reared in different environments, depending on what the farmers choose. “[Fish can be reared in] fresh water as well as saltwater environments. [There’s also] brackish water or river mills”.
Recirculating agriculture on the rise
She also explains the ways in which fish can be reared. This includes ponds, tanks, cages and more. But recirculating aquaculture has taken the world by storm, Van Wyk pointed out.
“It is capital intensive but the perks of recirculating aquaculture means that water is constantly recirculating. So the addition of water to such a system is minimal.”
“What is new to us with aquaculture is already so established in the developed world. We need to make our people in South Africa aware that we can start competing on a global scale in terms of the sector and the growth that sector needs to take to form part of the global position that aquaculture is taking,” Van Wyk said.
The fish sector is growing
In the episode, experts also unpack what the landscape of aquaculture in South Africa looks like and how viable the industry is.
Aquaculture has only been in Africa for 50 – 70 years, so it is still in its infancy on the continent. And In Mzansi, the industry is still in the developmental stage with huge potential to grow and contribute towards employment and food security.
Davidzo Chizhengeni, managing director of KVD Livestock Consultancy, said more and more people in Africa are adopting this type of farming.
“People are able to farm with fish, however, the most strenuous thing is feed. As farmers, we do not have the capacity to produce our own feed. This has an impact on the pricing of the final product (fish).
However, farmers are finding innovative ways to decrease their dependence on commercial feeding, Chizhengeni says.
During the session, experts also discuss the following:
- Challenges and opportunities that exist within the industry;
- Freshwater aquaculture;
- Ensuring that your fish are happy; and more
READ NEXT: Grab indaba tickets before they’re gone!
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
