Title: Evaluation of the status of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming in The Gambia (central river region): a case study.

Evaluation of the status of Oreochromis niloticus farming was conducted in CRR to identify challenges hindering the development of aquaculture in general and tilapia culture. A set of questions were developed and administered through interviews in the region. Fish farmers, support institutions in aquaculture and individuals were interviewed to seek their views on the challenges in fish culture in the region. The results revealed that most farmers in the study area had little or no knowledge of improved cultural practices in fish farming. Farmers collect seeds from wild in stocking the fish ponds with little or no water management practices. The hatchery in the area is small and less functional to meet the seed requirement of the farmers and due to limited knowledge of the staff and inadequate logistics to carry out breeding programmes. The ponds are generally small (100 m2) with high stocking density between 7 – 10 fingerlings/m2 characterised by high mortality rate of 10 – 15%. The regional total harvest yields were less than 2.5 tons/ha/cycle. Thus, the survey suggested urgent government and intervention of development partner’ in addressing the above constraints to improve aquaculture development in the region.