Tanzania to adopt new policies to safeguard fish stocks

A sample of the oreochromis species.: Credit: Tarang Mehta, Earlham Institute A sample of the oreochromis species.: Credit: Tarang Mehta, Earlham Institute Tilapia are a group of tropical freshwater fish from Africa that support a rapidly growing multi-billion dollar fish farming industry. However, this important food source is at risk as native species are interbreeding with farmed varieties. This is affecting both among wild and farmed fish, and has been a growing cause for concern.

Although the industry is thriving in Asia, fish farming is still in its infancy in Africa, where most tilapia are harvested from wild populations by traditional fishing methods.

The Tanzanian Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries is to adopt recommendations for conserving the unique genetic diversity of tilapia for food security.

The recommendations are based on the findings of research led by Prof George Turner at Bangor University's School of Natural Sciences, in collaboration with colleagues at Bristol University, the Earlham Institute at Norwich and at the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (Tafiri), funded by the Royal Society, the Leverhulme Trust, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

The seven-year research programme mapped the distribution of native and non-native tilapia species and used state of the art molecular genetic methods to uncover cross-breeding in fish farms and among wild communities, both of which represent a threat to the natural population and to food security.

Oreochromis species of tilapia.: Credit: Tarang Mehta, Earlham Institute Oreochromis species of tilapia.: Credit: Tarang Mehta, Earlham Institute The next phase of the project, funded by the JRS Biodiversity Foundation will expand the programme to Kenya, with the aid of a smartphone app for recording distributions, and help to identify pure populations. These can be used to restock fish farms, to help sustain food production both from wild and fish-farm stocks and to maintain the wild genetic diversity that can help insure the global industry against threats such as new disease outbreaks.

The Citizen, a Tanzanian newspaper reported Dr Rashid Tamatamah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry as saying:

“The success in developing a sound management system in the fisheries sector depends on research, which provides a scientific information for better management. We will use the recommendations to improve freshwater fish conservation and production of tilapia.”

Prof George Turner explained further:

“In a country facing rapid population growth, a reduction in fish production as a food source poses a serious threat to the sustainable aquaculture development needed to keep pace with population growth.

Our results underline the need for aquaculture and capture fisheries policies to protect natural biodiversity and harness its valuable role in promoting food security.”

Kiwaleni Lake, Kibaridi, Pemba Island. The scientists sampled wild tilapia populations from Kangagani fish ponds, Pemba Island for sequencing to determine exotic and native species of Tilapia in Tanzania.: Credit: Tarang Mehta, Earlham Institute (as above)Kiwaleni Lake, Kibaridi, Pemba Island. The scientists sampled wild tilapia populations from Kangagani fish ponds, Pemba Island for sequencing to determine exotic and native species of Tilapia in Tanzania.: Credit: Tarang Mehta, Earlham InstituteThe paper’s policy recommendations were:
Improve capture fisheries using indigenous species

  • Use only large-bodied native species in wild fisheries to eliminate risk of hybridisation and disease.

Promote sustainable aquaculture expansion

  • Distribute only hatchery-validated juvenile fish to avoid contamination with small-bodied invasives.
  • Promote zoned aquaculture for smallholders, based on species indigenous to the catchment.
  • Restrict use of non-native strains to large commercial farms, which have strong biosecurity.

Make managing biodiversity a priority

• Promote fish identification skills among fisheries, aquaculture and conservation practitioners.

• Identify and protect ark populations of each indigenous tilapia in Tanzania, to conserve genetic diversity.

Publication date: 8 October 2018