Freshwater fish seed resources in Uganda
Loading...
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
FAO Fisheries Technical Paper
Abstract
The aquaculture sector in Uganda has started to grow very rapidly during recent years
with the commercialization approach taken by the government. Aquaculture is now
seen not only as source of dietary protein but also as a means of generating income
through improved productivity and managing aquaculture production as a business
venture. This has attracted a new class of farmers.The issues of fish seed availability
and quality have become a major challenge. This new trend has made the government
to turn to private sector for improved supply of the required quality and to meet the
needed quantity of fish seed. Fish seed propagation in Uganda was, until the late 1990s,
a remit of the public sector. Currently there are nearly 50 private fish hatcheries ranging
from small- to medium-scale with a few large commercial operation. The country’s
projection for meeting the aquaculture and stock enhancement seed requirements is
about 450 million fingerlings annually. The general plan is to meet this demand through
privately-owned and operated fish hatcheries. Use of the private sector calls for trained
manpower and exposure to appropriate technology. There is also urgent need to improve
broodstock management skills and to initiate breeding programmes for improvement of
the productivity of key aquaculture species. Although government has established some
regulations under the “Fish (Aquaculture) Rules 2003” to regulate fish seed production
and distribution, there is still a need for technical assistance to review and develop clear
and implementable standards and guidelines for the private fish hatchery owners and
operators in Uganda.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Mwanja, W.W. 2007. Freshwater fish seed resources in Uganda, East Africa, pp. 461–476. In: M.G. Bondad-Reantaso (ed.). Assessment of freshwater fish seed resources for sustainable aquaculture. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 501. Rome, FAO. 2007. 628p.