Some aquaculture experts have harped on the importance of cultivating diverse fish species and the education of local farmer to boost productivity.
The experts made the call-in separate interviews on Friday in Lagos.
In commemoration of the World Fisheries Day and to boost local aquaculture sector, the experts called for diversification of fish cultivation beyond catfish and tilapia.
The World Fisheries Day is celebrated on November 21 every year. It aims to draw attention to overfishing, habitat destruction and other serious threats.
The day had the theme: “Fish Species Diversification: The Future of Nigeria Aquaculture.”
An aquaculture expert and founder of Aquabashy Fisheries Foundation, Mr Bashir Owolabi stressed the need for awareness creation of the different fish species that could be cultivated locally to cut production costs.
Owolabi said that the foundation had been celebrating the World Fishery Day for the past couple of years.
“Why should we cultivate only one or two fish species in Nigeria? Why do we only cultivate tilapia and catfish?
“There are so many fish species in our water bodies that we can actually diversify into and increase the productivity and profitability of the Nigerian aquaculture sector.
“Fish species like pangasius, freshwater brahma, common carp, arawu, and African arowana can be cultivated locally. We have so many fish species that we are actually cultivating presently that are cost effective in terms of feed materials.
“This year fish farmers should be educated more on fish species diversification. We want local farmers to know the nutritional aspect of other fish species and cultivate them.
“Local fish farmers are now lamenting about the high cost of feeding hence the need for this diversification,” Owolabi said.
He urged fish farmers to embrace the cultivation of local species to reduce production costs.
“For example, the common carp is a specie of fish that you do not even need much protein for its feed. That means that farmers can reduce cost of production when it is cultivated.
“There’s no need for frequent change water, that will in turn cut cost of pumping water regularly for two to three months, the carp fish can stay in the same water.
“We have also launched an Agriprenuer Insight platform, an online video platform, where we educate and advocate for farmers even in areas where they lack access to extension services.
“We have many programmes just for farmers to learn more about the business aspect of agriculture.
“So, fish farmers should not just rely on old technology and knowledge for farming, but should be open to new innovative ideas,” he said.
On his part, a fisheries consultant, Mr Okon Amah called for more research to improve fish species diversification among local farmers.
“For fish species diversification, we have been singing this song for a very long time and diversification involves a lot of research.
“Unless we have enough funding for research, research does not fund itself, we cannot diversify appropriately.
“We have over 300 species of fish in Nigerian freshwater and then we are looking at improving a few of them that can be plant-protein-based so that it can cut down cost of production.
“Fish species that are based on animal protein like catfish, is very expensive to formulate their feed. While fish species that are plant-protein-based is cheaper.
“Farmers can always get the plants grown anywhere and just use the plant’s leaf to just feed them.
“Diversification of fish species cultivation is a very good thing and is of great economic benefit to the Nigerian economy and local aquaculture sector,” Amah said.
NAN
