According to South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Aquaculture Yearbook the major food fish species cultivated in South Africa in 2015 were marine mussels (1 758 tons), which contributed most to production, followed by rainbow trout (1497 tons), abalone (1479 tons), tilapia (325 tons), oysters (277 tons) and marron crayfish (4 tons).
Used for thousands of years in subsistence farming, tilapia has grown to one of the top-10 favourite fish products in the USA. Worldwide, tilapia is the second most commonly consumed farmed fish after the carp species and the production of tilapia has outgrown that of trout, yet does not sell for the same high prices as trout. The main tilapia producers in the world are China, with about 30% of world production, Egypt, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Demand for Tilapia in South Africa
A research report by Urban-Econ for the Industrial Development Corporation of SA (IDC) into the potential for the production, processing and export of tilapia for the Southern African market in 2015 indicated that the demand for tilapia in South Africa was close to 1 500 tons. Of this only 187 tons were supplied by South Africa tilapia producers.
Commercial buyers, which included prominent retailers, interviewed for the report indicated that locally produced tilapia was preferred over cheaper Chinese tilapia due to the poor quality of the imports. In addition, buyers felt tilapia could substitute hake, for which production has declined by almost 50%. Therefore, local demand has the potential to support large-scale local tilapia production in South Africa.
Which Species of Tilapia for Fish Farming?
Of the 70 species of tilapias in the world, Oreochromis mossambicus (blue kurper or Mozambican tilapia), Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) and Oreochromis aureus (blue tilapia) are the three main species used in tilapia farming worldwide. Some farms also use O. andersoni in catchments of high conservation concern along the upper Zambezi River.
Others use O. macrochir in Northeast Zambia for the same reason. Nile tilapia and the genetically improved Nile tilapia, based on GIFT strains, are used by more than 80% of tilapia farmers. Only 4% of tilapia production is with Mozambican tilapia, in parts of the USA where it was introduced years ago.
As far back as 1983, R.S.V. Pullin in his report ‘Choice of tilapia species for aquaculture’ recommended that research should concentrate on Nile tilapia and blue tilapia, not Mozambican tilapia with its slow growth rate. In South Africa, there is no shortage of good genetic material, high-performance species, improved strains of Nile tilapia, available from private nurseries.
It is advised that attention should be given to sourcing good broodstock of O. mossambicus or using all-male fingerlings from reputable hatcheries. Poor quality, inbred stock of unknown ancestry, should be avoided.
Why is Tilapia Suitable for Aquaculture?
Tilapia has a sweet, mild flavour and a firm, flaky texture. Tilapia has several positive qualities suitable for aquaculture. These include: High growth rate. Depending on the species, tilapia can grow up to 450 g in eight months. Fertile. Depending on their age, females can produce about 500 to 1 000 eggs/spawning. Can survive in short periods of poor water quality and a wide temperature range.
Can use plant and animal nutrients for growth. Tilapia meat is white, of good quality and has been well received in the retail market. It has a versatile taste and texture and can be used in value-added products.
By Nicholas James