Aquaculture division

Aquaculture relates to the culture of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions and plays an important role in fish production. The Aquaculture Division is involved in developing culture techniques and applied research for aquaculture and marine ranching including extension services to farmers.

To increase fish production.

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  To undertake research in aquaculture development.
  
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  To promote marine ranching.
  
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  To encourage, advise and promote fish farming.
  
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  To transfer aquaculture techniques and technology to fish farmers.
  

To promote sustainable aquaculture development through the production and supply of fish seeds to farmers and for marine ranching.

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  Seed production of sea bream, mud crab, and shrimp for marine ranching;
  
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  Collection and rearing of fry of Cordonnier (Siganus spp.) for Marine Ranching Programme;
  
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  Production and supply of juveniles of freshwater prawn, ornamental fish, and fingerlings of berri rouge to fish farmers;
  
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  Production of live feed (phyto/zooplankton);
  
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  Acclimatization of berri rouge fingerlings to seawater;
  
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  Provision of extension service and dissemination of information on best practices for aquaculture;
  
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  Appraisal of aquaculture projects ; and
  
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  Monitoring of aquaculture projects.
  

Freshwater Prawn (M. rosenbergii de Man)

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  The aim of the freshwater prawn breeding is to provide farmers with prawn juveniles upon request.
  
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  The prawn juveniles are available from December to April at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre.
  
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  The cost of the prawn juveniles is Rs. 1.25 / unit.
  
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  Technical advice on the culture of fresh water prawn is tendered to farmers upon request.
  
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  Requests for the supply of prawn juveniles are received between August to November on the Application Form for Fish Farming.
  
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  Farmers submit production data to the Ministry on a yearly basis.
  
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  Farmers shall apply for a water right for aquaculture from the Water Resources Unit / Central Water Authority of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities. Tap water is not recommended for culture.
  

Berri Rouge (Oreochromis sp)

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  Berri rouge fingerlings are provided to fish farmers upon request.
  
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  Fingerlings are available at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC) from September to April and request for the supply of fingerlings should be made on the Application Form for Fish Farming
  
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  The cost of berri rouge fingerlings is Rs. 1.25 / unit.
  
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  Technical advice on culture techniques is dispensed to fish farmers upon request.
  
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  Farmers shall apply for a water right for aquaculture from the Water Resources Unit / Central Water Authority of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities. Tap water is not recommended for culture.
  
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  Farmers submit fish production data to the Ministry on a yearly basis.
  

Gold Fish (Carassius auratus)

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  Fresh water ornamental fish juveniles (Gold fish, Platy and Molly) are provided upon requests made on the Application Form for Fish Farming.
  
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  Fingerlings are available at the AFRC from April to September.
  
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  Gold fish is sold at Rs 20 /unit, Platy Rs 10 /unit and Molly Rs. 15 / unit.
  
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  Advice on culture techniques is dispensed to farmers upon request.
  
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  Farmers should submit fish production data to the Ministry on a yearly basis.
  

The replenishment of the lagoon with fingerlings is an important activity undertaken by the Albion Fisheries Research Centre to enhance and sustain the fisheries resources in Mauritius. This programme will, in the long run, be beneficial to the fishermen community. Marine ranching is being carried out through the harvest and recruit type methods.

The target species for marine ranching are Rabbit fish (Siganus sp), Seabream (Rhabdosargus sarba), and Mud crab (Scylla serrata).



Mud crab- Scylla serrata Cordonnier - Siganus spp

Seabream - Rhabdosargus sarba

The Ministry has initiated a small scale pilot cage culture project in the lagoon to empower the fishermen community and to alleviate poverty. The project is being undertaken by the fishermen cooperative society in the lagoon of Trou d’Eau Douce and Grand Gaube. The Albion Fisheries Research Centre has provided technical advice, installed cages and supplied fish fingerlings for the pilot project.