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.
Goal:
To increase fish production.
Key Priorities
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To undertake research in aquaculture development.
To promote marine ranching.
To encourage, advise and promote fish farming.
To transfer aquaculture techniques and technology to fish farmers.
Objectives:
To promote sustainable aquaculture development through the production and supply of fish seeds to
farmers and for marine ranching.
Activities:
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Seed production of sea bream, mud crab, and shrimp for marine ranching;
Collection and rearing of fry of Cordonnier (Siganus spp.) for Marine Ranching Programme;
Production and supply of juveniles of freshwater prawn, ornamental fish, and fingerlings of
berri rouge to fish farmers;
Production of live feed (phyto/zooplankton);
Acclimatization of berri rouge fingerlings to seawater;
Provision of extension service and dissemination of information on best practices for
aquaculture;
Appraisal of aquaculture projects ; and
Monitoring of aquaculture projects.
CULTURE OF FRESHWATER PRAWN, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
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.
The prawn juveniles are available from December to April at the Albion Fisheries Research
Centre.
The cost of the prawn juveniles is Rs. 1.25 / unit.
Technical advice on the culture of fresh water prawn is tendered to farmers upon request.
Requests for the supply of prawn juveniles are received between August to November on the
Application Form for Fish Farming.
Farmers submit production data to the Ministry on a yearly basis.
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.
CULTURE OF BERRI ROUGE (Oreochromis sp.)
Berri Rouge (Oreochromis sp)
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Berri rouge fingerlings are provided to fish farmers upon request.
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
The cost of berri rouge fingerlings is Rs. 1.25 / unit.
Technical advice on culture techniques is dispensed to fish farmers upon request.
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.
Farmers submit fish production data to the Ministry on a yearly basis.
FRESH WATER ORNAMENTAL FISH CULTURE
Gold Fish (Carassius auratus)
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Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna)
Fresh water ornamental fish juveniles (Gold fish, Platy and Molly) are provided upon
requests made on the Application Form for Fish Farming.
Fingerlings are available at the AFRC from April to September.
Gold fish is sold at Rs 20 /unit, Platy Rs 10 /unit and Molly Rs. 15 / unit.
Advice on culture techniques is dispensed to farmers upon request.
Farmers should submit fish production data to the Ministry on a yearly basis.
Marine Ranching
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
Release of fingerlings at sea (picture to be replaced)
Pilot Floating Cage Culture Project
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.
Contact Details:
Divisional Scientific Officer (Aquaculture Division)
Albion Fisheries Research Centre
Ministry of Fisheries
Petite Rivière
Albion
MAURITIUS
Tel.: +(230) 238 4100
+(230) 238 4829
+(230) 238 4744
Fax: +(230) 238 4184
Email: fisheries@mail.gov.mu
Aquaculture Production 2006-2010 (tonnes)
Year/activities
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Barachois
3.5
1.7
1.8
2.2
2.0
2.0
Marine aquaculture
419.5
551.7
182.8
332.3
500.4
458.0
Pond (Prawns & Berri rouge)
19.5
16.8
61.7
102.6
65.1
73.7