Karen Veverica and William Daniels International Center for

Karen Veverica and William Daniels
International Center for Aquaculture and
Aquatic Environments
Auburn University, USA
Nelly Isyagi and Rashid Asiimwe
Aquaculture Management Consultants
Uganda
Equatorial
High elevation (600-4,000M)
Expansive wetlands
Landlocked
Why cage culture?
 Processing plants already exist but lack fish.
 Decent prices paid for fish for local retail.
 Several large water bodies in Uganda: Lake Victoria is
68,800 km2, a volume of 2,760 km3
 Water harvesting reservoirs need to be increased.
 Locally-made feed will be cost-effective (3:1 ratio)
 Alternative livelihood to fishers – especially recent
entries.
“The fastest way to increase fish production in Uganda
is by cage culture”- C.E. Boyd
Low volume-high density cage culture
 Described in the manual published by American




Soybean Association.
Very appropriate for small reservoirs and ponds
because the fish can create the water exchange
currents needed.
Very appropriate for eutrophic waters as chances
of oxygen depletion mid-cage are reduced.
Works well with small-scale farmers whose single
sales volumes are not so high.
Easier to protect the cage with a cover that locks.
This is China, but in Uganda, waves higher; birds
heavier and more numerous, too many thieves; VERY
large otters—but at least no tiger fish. Hippos no
problem; crocodiles maybe.
The “technology package”
 Site selection: (storms on Lake Victoria, water
hyacinth depositions, BG algae blooms)
 Ponds/reservoirs TA, TH 40mg/L +
 Water currents 1-5 m/min. If not, use smaller
cage, like 1 cubic meter.
 Depth 2.5 m or more
 Species (O.n.) some experience with C.g.
 Stocking: MUST condition the fish
 Hold in tanks or happas and train on feed
 Hold in small-mesh high density cage for 2
weeks minimum.
Conditioning in happas; even one night is beneficial
The “technology package”, cont.
 Feeding: use best quality; keep FCR down
 Ring or not. NO FEEDING MESH AROUND
PERIMETER.
 Sampling: cast net; monthly *
 Harvest at one time; avoid partial harvest
 Other BMP’s for reducing ecological impact
 Move cages
 Space between cages
 No deposition of dead fish, no trash thrown in lake
 Wear life vests!!!!!!!!
Fill drums with broken
polystyrene pieces to prevent
sinking if here is a leak and to
deter thievery.
Locks act as hinges and as
thievery deterrent.
“Demand feeders” should be
used as trickle feeders; and
only receive 1 meal at a time.
Covers to deter otters, birds,
people.
Adding feed to the demand feeder.
Note who is doing this work- and what they are wearing.
What we have found
 Stock 350-400 fish/m3
 Yields 150-200 kg/m3
 FCR 1.8 (1.5-2.3), depending on the feed, feeder
 Floating feed preferred but slow sinking is OK.
 Survival estimate at 75% for business plans; have
had >95%.
 Cage lifetime 4cycles (2 -3 years)
 PROBLEM is Feed and Cash flow
 Feed problem about to be solved
One cycle (based on 8 months)
Amount $US
Investment: 8 cages, boat, mooring, 5-yr
permit.
3,000
Operating : feeds and fingerlings
8,850
Living expenses during first production
phase (100,000 USh/mo):
Total cash needed:
Interest on loan (15% for 8 months):
12,490
1,874
Total
Expected revenue, based on 1T/cage:
640
14,364
14,400
What does this mean?
 A person CAN borrow money every cycle and
still make a living.
 However, the bank makes more money than
the farmer. (about 3 times more)
 After the initial investment, the loan amount
will be reduced and the farmer can make
$3,141 in one cycle.
 If a farmer can figure out how to manage cash
flow better, a loan will not be needed in
subsequent years and total returns will be
even higher.
Will it work?
 Let’s try it.
 Scheduled to begin early next year.
 Some investment funds there, the remainder
need to be sourced by the beneficiaries
themselves.
 Do not want to create new microfinance
services; use the existing services.
 Will provide close technical assistance and
track interest by the fisher communities.
More information?
 Check our website at www.ag.auburn.edu/fish
under international programs, Uganda for project
reports, Services and Suppliers Guide, Dr Boyd’s
report on cage culture in Lake Victoria, etc.
Thanks to….