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Aquaculture provides significant contributions to household food security, as the capture of wild fish from lakes,
dams, and oceans do not meet the current demand for animal protein in Tanzania. Sustainable aquaculture
requires well-established regulatory systems and extension services for good pond management practices and
maintaining fish health by fish farmers. Fish farming is practiced widely in Tanzania, from small-to large-scale
ponds and these farming systems are moving from extensive normal operations (low input demand) to intensive
farming (high input demand). However, the industry is largely still operating at a subsistence level with low
production. Bacterial infections have been occurring in these fish farms and will continue to be an issue of
concern into the future. This review highlights the current challenges, successes, and prospects towards a sustainable aquaculture industry in Tanzania, including: limited extension services mirroring the limited knowledge
by farmers regarding pond management practices; the inadequacy of funds to carry out fish disease research or
implement a surveillance system; little expertise in fish disease diagnosis and treatment; and poor management
options. To minimize disease outbreaks and optimize production in the future, we suggest a strengthening of
extension services, augmented with on-farm knowledge transfer. Emphasis should be on pond management
practices and fish disease management; the creation of a well-functioning fish disease surveillance system; and
strengthening collaborative research on aquaculture between the government research institutions and
academia. Establishing small cooperative fish farmer groups within the Aquaculture Association of Tanzania
(AAT) for easy access to information is also recommended. |
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