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
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
