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                                    ​Aquaculture Division

 
The Aquaculture Division is responsible for the promotion of aquaculture development to increase fish production through research on different marine and freshwater species.  A marine ranching programme is also being implemented involving the release of fingerlings of rabbitfish and seabream in the lagoon to enhance the stock. The division is also involved in seed production of the giant freshwater prawn, red tilapia hybrid, seabream and provides extension services to local farmers. 
 Goal
To promote sustainable aquaculture development in order to increase fish production for food security and to enhance the socio-economic status of the fishermen community
 Key Actions
(i)    Research in aquaculture development to improve aquaculture techniques for quality seed production;
(ii)   Collection and rearing of cordonnier(Siganus spp.) fry and seed production of sea bream (Rhabdosargus sarba ) for marine ranching  programme and cage culture;
(iii)   Encourage,  advise and promote sustainable  fish farming activities through production and supply of juveniles of freshwater prawn, and berri  rouge fingerlings to fish farmers;
(iv)    Transfer of  aquaculture techniques  to fish farmers and impartation of technical advice on fish culture in floating cages  to potential farmers;
(v)     Production of live feed (phyto/zooplankton);
(vi)    Provision of extension services and dissemination of information on best aquaculture   practices;
(vii)   Appraisal of aquaculture projects ; and
(viii)   Monitoring of aquaculture projects.
 
Culture of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
A camaron (freshwater prawn) brood stock was introduced in 1972 from Hawaii. Since 2002, the hatchery at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC) undertakes the production of juveniles to supply the medium and small scale farmers around the island.
 ​ 
Figure 1: Freshwater Prawn (Camaron)
(i)   The fresh water prawn juveniles are available from December to April at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre.
(ii)  The cost of the fresh water prawn juveniles is Rs. 1.25 / unit.
(iii)  Technical advice on the culture of fresh water prawn is provided to farmers upon request.
(iv) Requests for the supply of prawn juveniles are received between August and November on the Application Form for Fish Farming 
Note- For undertaking aquaculture projects, farmers should apply for a water right from the Water Resources Unit / Central Water Authority of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities.  Tap water is not recommended for culture.

Culture of berri rouge (Oreochromis sp.)
The red tilapia hybrid was introduced from Malaysia in 1990. Monosex fish was produced through sex reversal treatment for culture yielding quality seeds with high growth and good survival rate. Since 2007, the broodstock of berri rouge is kept in outdoor concrete ponds at AFRC and are fed on red snapper pellets.  Reproduction occurs naturally in the ponds and the fingerlings obtained are supplied to fish farmers.
        

Figure 2: Berri Rouge
 
(i)   Berri rouge fingerlings are provided to fish farmers upon request at the cost of Rs. 1.25 per fingerling.
(ii) Fingerlings are available at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC) from September to April and request for the supply of fingerlings should be made on the        Application Form for Fish Farming
(iii) Technical advice on culture techniques is dispensed to fish farmers upon request.
Note: For undertaking aquaculture projects, farmers should apply for a water right from the Water Resources Unit / Central Water Authority of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities.  Tap water is not recommended for culture.
 
Culture of live feed phytoplankton (Nannochloropsis sp.) and rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis)
Pure strains of the phytoplankton, Nannochloropsis sp. is maintained in the phytoplankton room all year round.  Large scale production of Nannochloropsis sp. is carried out in outdoor tanks to feed the zooplankton, Brachionus plicatilis (rotifer) which are used as live feed for sea bream larvae.
                      
Figure 3: Phytoplankton culture                                                                                                                    Figure 4: Rotifers
                                                                                               Marine Ranching
The replenishment of the lagoon with fingerlings is an important activity undertaken by the Ministry (Albion Fisheries Research Centre) to enhance and sustain the fisheries resources of Mauritius which would, in the long run, be beneficial to the fishermen community.
The target species for marine ranching are Rabbit fish (Siganus sp) and Seabream (Rhabdosargus sarba)

    
Figure 5: Siganus Sp (Cordonnier)                                                               Figure 6: Silver Sea Bream (Rhabdosargus sarba)


      
Figure 7: Release of sea bream juveniles in mangrove areas                                    Figure 8: Release of sea bream juveniles in lagoo
Pilot Floating Cage Culture Project
The Ministry has started a small scale pilot cage culture project in the lagoon since 2012, to empower the fishermen community and to alleviate poverty.  The project is being undertaken by fishermen cooperative societies in the lagoon.  The Albion Fisheries Research Centre provides technical advice on cage culture.
                                      
       Figure 9: A floating cage structure                                                    Figure 10: Stocking of cordonnier fingerlings 
 
Freshwater Ornamental Fish
Advice on culture techniques of freshwater ornamental fish namely: Gold fish, Platy and Molly is dispensed to farmers upon request.           
    
Figure 11: Gold fish (Carassius Sp.)                                       Figure 12: Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)                              Figure 13: Molly (Poecilia latipinna)            
Contact:
Divisional Scientific Officer – Aquaculture Division
Albion Fisheries Research Centre,
Albion, Petite Rivière, Mauritius
Tel: + (230) 2384100/4828/4744 (PABX)
Direct Line: 2384275
Fax: + (230) 2384184