Present status of aquaculture and the challenge of bacterial diseases in freshwater farmed fish in Tanzania; A call for sustainable strategies

Abstract

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.