Tilapia Fingerling Production in Honduras

Abstract

The availability of good quality seed continues to be a factor limiting aquaculture development. The lack of an adequate supply of all-male tilapia fingerlings has been identified by fish farmers as a principal constraint to small and medium-scale fish culture development in Honduras. Procuring a reliable supply of high quality seed for stocking local and remote sites is critical to continued development of tilapia culture. A survey of tilapia fingerling producers was conducted in Honduras as part of the Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program (PD/A CRSP) during 2003 and 2004 to gain a better understanding of the factors that can contribute to improve seed quality and availability for fish farms, as essential to advance the practice of fish culture. Sixteen farmers were identified and interviewed with the objective of evaluating their fingerling production techniques, the characteristics of the fingerlings they produce, and the attributes of the individuals and their farms. The farmers were visited during the period from September 2003 to July 2004 to assess the physical facilities (ponds, tanks, etc.) used for tilapia reproduction and fingerling production. Semi-structured interviews were used to obtain information from each known tilapia fingerling producer in Honduras. At each farm, 1000 fingerlings were purchased and transported to Zamorano’s aquaculture research station for evaluation (packing, purchase price, number, uniformity of size, and color). A sub-sample of 250 fingerlings from each farm was grown to a size where sex identification was possible. The sex of each adult fish was determined to ascertain the percent of males and females in each sub-sample. The results of this study clarify the socioeconomic characteristics of tilapia fingerling producers, their production techniques, as well as their needs for training and technical assistance. The author suggest some strategies for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and other institutions that support aquaculture activities in Honduras and regionally. The broader objective is to foster more appropriate subject matter and technical content for training fingerling producers and extension agents.

1.Zamorano also known as the Pan-American Agriculture School and the Escuela Agrícola Panamericana (E.A.P.).