Production priorities overshadow genetic quality at African fish hatcheries

Abstract

Based largely on FAO programs that address rural poverty, small-scale hatcheries have been developed in Africa to produce catfish and tilapia fingerlings. Production practices that fail to maintain genetic diversity, however, often limit the growth performance of the fingerlings. Growth rates up to 40% lower than those of wild fish potentially cost African farmers over U.S. $200 million a year.