Directorate of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries - MAWLR
FEED AND PLANT FACTORY
Fish feed is one of the major components needed and most expensive commodities when raising fish. Importing fish feed at a high cost from South Africa has been hindering fresh water aquaculture production in Namibia . It was through a cooperative agreement between the Namibian and Spanish Government, that a fish feed factory at Onavivi Inland Aquaculture Centre (OIAC) in Namibia was constructed.
The production of Namibia 's own fish feed will help in alleviating the shortage of fish feed, thereby improving fish farming amongst the rural communities, hence improving food security. Activities undertaking at the fish feed plant include fish feed formulation and research (Fish feed trails/experiments). From experiments, it was concluded that a diet of 15% protein is suitable for the use in low scale Semi-intensive farming systems, with low stocking density between 2 to 3 fish/m 2 , a diet of 25% CP be used in high managed semi-intensive culture systems, where there is high stocking densities of 4 to 10 fish/m 2 and a diet of 30% CP be used for broodstock (breeders) and nursing of the fingerlings while diet 38% CP be used for the fry stage.
Table 3. Estimated Annual quantity of each Diet, for all regions (August 2009 to August 2010)
| Diet type | Protein content of the diet | Culture system, fish type and size |
|---|---|---|
| Prestarter | 38% | Intensive for newly hatched fries |
| Breeder/Fingerlings | 30% | Intensive for fingerlings and broodstock fish |
| Semi-Intensive II | 25% | High scale management for growers |
| Semi-intensive I | 15% | Low scale management for growers |
PRODUCTION
Commercial marine aquaculture is currently dominated by oyster production in Walvis Bay ,Swakopmund and Luderitz. Both Pacific oysters and European oysters are grown. One company in the Luderitz lagoon grows seaweed, and the results have shown that the growth rate for this species is very high. The species is cultured in open water in the lagoon area. The resulting Gracalia is predominantly used as a cosmetic ingredient as well as a source of food for humans and abalone. The main product generated by this species is agar. Currently there is only one abalone farm in Namibia that is in Luderitz.
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MARKETING AND EMPLOYMENT |
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MarketMarine cultured products such as Abalone and Oysters are internationally sold. Abalone meat is considered a delicacy in Latin America (especially Chile ), South East Asia and East Asia (especially China , Japan and Korea ). These species reach a market size of 200 to 300 g within three to four years. While the successful oyster industry currently sells locally, to South Africa and to Asian markets (especially China and Singapore ). For freshwater fish products, there no international markets yet; hence they are currently being produced for domestic markets. |
EmploymentEmployment in the Aquaculture sector has increased from 422 in 2003, to 1,640 people in 2009 in all thirteen regions of the country. These include Government, private sector, casuals and community workers. Due to the growth of the aquaculture industry, employment is expected to increase exponentially in relation to this growth. |
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TYPES OF AQUACULTURE |
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Marine Aquaculture (Mariculture)Production advantages for "marine aquaculture" in Namibia include approximately 1,500 km of largely uninhabited coastline (Lüderitz, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund); unpolluted high quality marine waters, high natural primary productivity of the seawater; availability of inexpensive fish by-products from the established fish processing sector for inclusion in wet aqua-feeds, and well-established processing, packaging and marketing systems, which exist due to the marine capture fisheries, that can be adapted for aquaculture purposes. Commercial "marine aquaculture" (mariculture) is based on:
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Inland AquacultureInland freshwater fisheries are important in less arid areas such as the Caprivi and Okavango regions in the North East and the Omusati, Kunene and Oshana regions in the North West . Commercial freshwater aquaculture of tilapia ( Oreochromis andersonii) and catfish ( Clarias gariepinus) is currently undertaken at all aquaculture establishments throughout the country. About 50% of the rural population live in the northern regions and derive food, income and informal employment from inland fish resources. Inland aquaculture includes on-land facilities and utilizes ponds, tanks, and enclosures that are dependent upon the culturists for maintenance of water quality, food supply, and waste removal. |
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AQUACULTURE CENTERS COUNTRYWIDE
| NO | NAME | TYPE OF FACILITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mpungu Fish Farm | Community based fish production farm | Nkurenkuru, Kavango Region |
| 2. | Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute(KIFI) | Fingerling & Fish production, Research,
Training and Information Center |
Divundu, Kavango Region |
| 3. | Epalela Fish Farm | Government fish grow out farm | Omusati Region |
| 4. | Onavivi Inland Aquaculture Center | Fingerling & fish production, Research, Training | Omusati Region |
| 5. | Ongwediva IAC | Fingerling & fish production facility | Oshana Region |
| 6. | Hardap IAC | Fingerling & fish production, Research, Training | Hardap Region |
| 7. | Fonteintjie FF Project | Community based grow out project | Karas Region |
| 8. | Leonardville IAC (New) | Fingerling & fish production,Training | Omaheke Region |