Proceedings of a Workshop on the Development ... - World Fish Center

STATUS OF CATFISH FARMING AND RESEARCH IN GHANA 31increased production <strong>of</strong> the African catfishClarias gariepinus, which is second in order<strong>of</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> fish species cultured inGhana. To achieve this, it is recommendedthat the following measures should betaken:• Genetic characterization anddocumentation <strong>of</strong> the local strains <strong>of</strong>Clarias gariepinus in Ghana;• Evaluation <strong>of</strong> the performance <strong>of</strong> thelocal strains in a number <strong>of</strong> productionsystems;• Establishment <strong>of</strong> a breeding and selectionprogram to improve the growth rate <strong>of</strong>the species;• Establishment <strong>of</strong> nucleus centers andregional hatcheries for distribution <strong>of</strong>high quality catfish brood stock andfingerlings to farmers;• Development <strong>of</strong> high quality feed that willsustain the aquaculture industry andmake it viable;• Training <strong>of</strong> various levels <strong>of</strong> humanresources to sustain the industry. Thisshould include researchers, extension<strong>of</strong>ficers and fish farmers;• Strengthening <strong>of</strong> fish farmers’associations at local, district, regionaland national levels for sustainedeconomic growth; and• Provision <strong>of</strong> sustainable credit facilities t<strong>of</strong>armers to initiate and/or expandaquaculture operations.CONCLUSIONThere is a very high potential for aquacultureproduction in Ghana to rapidly expandthrough the culture <strong>of</strong> the African catfishClarias gariepinus. The climate andgeographical conditions, especially in thesouthern portions <strong>of</strong> the country, favorincreased production. The government <strong>of</strong>Ghana has taken several positive measuresto support and accelerate the growth <strong>of</strong>aquaculture through the implementation <strong>of</strong>various strategies that have been outlinedin the strategic framework for aquaculturedevelopment in the country. With carefulplanning and cooperation from all playerswithin the sector, aquaculture would be ableto contribute its quota to uplift the economythrough the alleviation <strong>of</strong> poverty andprovision <strong>of</strong> assured food security.REFERENCESAbban, E.K. 2005. Aquaculture status, constraintsand priorities for development in Ghana. In J.H.Moehl, M. Halwart and R. Brummett. Report<strong>of</strong> the FAO-Worldfish Center <strong>Workshop</strong> onSmall–scale Aquaculture in Sub-Saharan Africa:Revising the Aquaculture Target Group Paradigm.CIFA Occasional Paper No. 25, 55 p.Abban, E.K., J.H. Moehl, L.K. Awity, M. Kalende,J.K. Ofori and A. Tetebo. 2006. AquacultureStrategic Framework Ghana. Ministry <strong>of</strong>Fisheries, 31 p.Agbobli, Jr., R. 1992. Dietary protein requirements<strong>of</strong> the African catfi sh (Heterobranchus isopterus)fi ngerlings. Department <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources,University <strong>of</strong> Science and Technology, Kumasi.B.Sc. Thesis.Amoo, E. 2002. Some factors affecting the mortality,viability and short-term storage <strong>of</strong> spermatozoa<strong>of</strong> Heterobranchus isopterus. Department <strong>of</strong>Natural Resources, University <strong>of</strong> Science andTechnology, Kumasi. B.Sc. Thesis.Asubonteng, A.W. 2003. Some factors affectingmobility, viability and short-term storage <strong>of</strong>spermatozoa <strong>of</strong> Heterobranchus isopterus.Department <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources, University<strong>of</strong> Science and Technology, Kumasi. B.Sc.Thesis.Attipoe, F.Y.K. 2006. Breeding and selection forfaster growth strains <strong>of</strong> the Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus in Ghana. Department<strong>of</strong> Zoology. University <strong>of</strong> Cape Coast, CapeCoast, Ghana. Ph.D. Dissertation.Balarin, J.D. 1988. National reviews for aquaculturedevelopment in Africa. FAO Fish Circ. (770.18)Food and Agriculture Organization <strong>of</strong> the UnitedNations, Rome, 121 p.Bint, Y.H. 1991. The performance <strong>of</strong> the catfi sh(Heterobranchus isopterus) fry fed on threetypes <strong>of</strong> feeds. Department <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources,University <strong>of</strong> Science and Technology, Kumasi.B.Sc. Thesis.Braimah, L.I. 2003. Fisheries Management Planfor the Volta Lake, Ghana. Report prepared forthe Department <strong>of</strong> Fisheries, Ministry <strong>of</strong> Foodand Agriculture, Ghana. 77 p.CSIR-Water Research Institute. 2004. AnnualReport.Danquah, H.R., E.K. Abban and G.G. Teugles.1999. Freshwater fi shes <strong>of</strong> Ghana: Identifi cation,distribution, ecological and economicimportance. Water Research Institute. Vol. 284,53 p.