Recent Developments in Fish Nutrition and Culture Technologies in Kenya

Abstract

Kenya has immense potential for aquaculture growth and development due to recent decline of capture fisheries production from Lake Victoria, which accounts for over 80% of the national production. However, lack of subsidies and slow adoption of aquaculture nutrition and culture technologies have slowed aquaculture growth and development nationally. There is need to explore innovative aquaculture production technologies and alternative protein sources that can replace fish meal to yield optimal returns in the foreseeable future. The study reviews the use of re-circulatory aquaculture system in tilapia hatchery to conserve limited water supplies and guarantee 95% success in mono-sex production of all male tilapia fingerlings. In Kenya, Freshwater shrimps, Caridina niloticus is the most common fish meal in aquafeed formulations. Although readily affordable, plant-based protein sources contain low crude protein levels and lack essential micronutrients. More sustainable animal protein sources such as black solder fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens pre-pupae and Redworms Eisenia foetida have shown the potential to yield optimal returns in a commercial scale, and can solve environmental problems associated with aquaculture. This study further recommends the use of recirculatory aquaculture in water scarce areas and those faced with intermittent interruptions due to prolonged droughts and pollution of surface waters.