How To Start Fish Farming In South Africa

Below is How To Start Fish Farming In South Africa

To start an aquaculture business in South Africa with the aim to produce freshwater fish, new fish farmers will need plans, skills, a suitable site and the right fish farming system suitable to their environment.

Is fish farming profitable in South Africa?

According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), aquaculture in South Africa (or fish farming) is divided into freshwater fish farming and marine (sea water) fish farming.

The answer to that question is simple, fish farming is very profitable but it takes a lot of time.

How many fish farms are there in South Africa?

Aquaculture Systems in South Africa

A total of 189 farms were recorded by DAFF in 2015 for both marine and freshwater.

Most freshwater farms employ recirculation systems, earth ponds, or raceways for species cultivation.

Is there a market for tilapia in South Africa?

There are no formal markets of tilapia in South Africa, although an enormous market exists for low-priced fish and initial investigations by several entrepreneurs that tilapia are well received locally.

How profitable is fish farming in South Africa?

When it comes to Tilapia farming bigger is better. To be profitable it is best to start with at least 10 of these troughs.

This will make around R20,000 per year which is a lot more profitable.

What is Needed to Become a New Fish Farmer in South Africa?

Aquaculture is both capital and skills intensive, as such, it would be unwise to under-invest and later find you have inadequate capital, knowledge, and skills to become profitable. It is also important to realise that aquaculture is a farming activity, which involves living organisms.

This will require a fish farmer’s attention 24/7.

Do you have the required temperament to work such hours or oversee staff working these hours?

Fish farmers, especially the smaller scale operators, also tend to be everyone and everything to their business, from the driver delivering fish and collecting feed, to the pump technician, fish health specialist, human resource specialist, and financial director.
The ability to build a team of people with diverse, complementary talents is one of the biggest benefits of scaling up an aquaculture business. Then everyone will be able to focus on their area of expertise.

How to Grow Freshwater Fish Farming in South Africa?

The growth of the South African aquaculture industry has the potential to contribute significantly to economic activity, poverty reduction, empowerment, employment, and the sustainable use of coastal and inland resources for the benefit of local communities.
To grow the South African aquaculture industry it needs an enabling environment.

This means legislation, policies, trade agreements, and infrastructure to move fish products from the farmers to the markets.

Better legislation, project funding, training, mentorship, and extension services will assist aquaculture farmers to start with the right species in the right farming system, improve farming, increase yield, and will build markets for freshwater aquaculture in South Africa.