107 sites identified for cage aquaculture

DODOMA: A TOTAL of 107 sites suitable for cage fish farming have been identified in Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika as part of efforts to expand aquaculture, create jobs and increase household incomes.

Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Bashiru Ally, told the National Assembly yesterday that the sites are located in Mwanza, Geita, Kagera, Mara, Simiyu, Kigoma, Katavi and Rukwa regions.

He said the areas meet legal and technical requirements for sustainable cage fish farming, making it easier and less costly for wananchi to invest in the sector.

Dr Bashiru said Tanzania currently has 3,343 fish cages operating in Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa, reflecting the growing contribution of aquaculture to food security and economic development.

The minister said this while responding to a question from Innocent Bashungwa (Karagwe, CCM), who sought to know when cage fish farming would be introduced in Lakes Rugu, Lwakajunju and Kabuli to create employment opportunities and improve household incomes.

In response, Dr Bashiru said the Ministry, through the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), will continue assessing smaller lakes, including Rugu, Lwakajunju and Kabuli, to determine their suitability for cage fish farming.

“The objective is to identify more investment opportunities for wananchi through cage fish farming so that they can earn income, secure employment, improve nutrition and contribute to national economic growth,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government plans to introduce marine cage fish farming along the country’s coastline using technology that has already proved successful in other parts of the world.

Dr Bashiru said experts working under arrangements initiated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan are assessing the feasibility of the project in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar in collaboration with TAFIRI and the Zanzibar Fisheries and Marine Resources Research Institute (ZAFIRI).

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“Within a short time, we expect to begin fish farming in marine cages, including in Mtwara Region,” he said.

He added that species such as rabbitfish are suitable for marine cage farming, creating investment opportunities in Tanga, Coast, Lindi, Mtwara and Zanzibar.

Responding to concerns over declining fish stocks in Mtera Dam, Dr Bashiru said the government has begun stocking fingerlings in major and minor water bodies, with Mtera among the areas earmarked for the programme.

He added that TAFIRI experts will also assess the dam’s suitability for cage fish farming as part of efforts to increase fish production while reducing pressure on natural fisheries.

“As fish stocks continue to decline in many water bodies, the government is strengthening fish stocking programmes and expanding cage fish farming to ensure sustainable production,” he said.