Title: Evaluation of aquaculture development in Tanzania

Tanzania modern freshwater aquaculture started back in 1949 when the rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) were introduced in the Northern and Southern Highland regions by missionaries. Despite the potential and long history of aquaculture, its contribution to the economy and food security are still low. This study aims at evaluating the status of aquaculture development in Tanzania and to come with a formative tool that addresses the potential, challenges, and suggested interventions in major areas of seed, feed and management. A total of 21,300 ponds producing 3,118 tones were observed in 2015. The main freshwater species cultured are Tilapia and Catfish, and 90% of the ponds were earthen. There is potential for investing in other technology like cages due to availability of marine and freshwater which covers 64,000 km2 and 64,300 km2 respectively. 8,000 seaweed farmers with the production of 1,000 tonnes per year were also observed with milkfish, crab-fattening, oysters, and shrimps as other mariculture activities. Challenges were production of quality fingerlings and fish feeds where 15 hatcheries and 5 feed producers were observed in the whole country. 73% of these hatcheries have low investment and use outdated technology producing low quantity and quality fingerlings. Feed producers have challenges in power supply, uneven availability of raw materials and limited knowledge of feed quality and formulation. Feeds are sold at 3000 Tsh per kilogram, which prices out most of farmers. Low knowledge of water quality and pond management was also observed with limited availability of water quality kits. Increasing knowledge to farmers, development of technology and investment in seed and feed production, as well as investigation into alternative protein sources for fish, and more policy harmonization and control are addressed as partial solutions to the challenges.