Pioneering Fish Genetic Resource Management and Seed Dissemination Programs for Africa:

Adapting principles of selective breeding for the improvement of aquaculture in the Volta Basin

Introduction:

Tilapia is the most widely cultured fish throughout Africa, where it has been farmed since the early 1960s. Traditionally, natural populations were and still are cultured in captivity in small farms or hatcheries. Several factors such as endogamy, exogamy, genetic drift and an involuntary natural (negative) selection have induced a loss of genetic diversity in these populations, to a point in which their growth rates are now considered 40% lower than that of wild populations. However, in Asia, where tilapia has been selectively bred by professional geneticists since the 1980s, growth rates are much higher in comparison to cultured strains in Africa. The lack of genetically improved strains of tilapia in African aquaculture has been identified as a key constraint to the development of the sector. Many, if not most, African fish hatcheries are not currently capable of managing improved strains. There is an urgent need for the development and implementation of best management practices that would permit certification of hatcheries as being competent and adequately equipped to ensure the maintenance of genetic quality and to minimize the risk of cross-contamination between improved stock and wild populations. Moving fish across international boarders is often restricted due to national legislation and may hamper the use of improved strains among adjacent countries. The implementation of best management practices for containment, together with appropriate environmental impact assessment should be and included as an integral part of any future genetic improvement program. To address these issues and to develop the necessary protocols for the implementation of a genetic improvement program for the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in the Volta Basin and surrounding areas, a group of international experts will be supported by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECI) to work directly with representatives of the environmental, fisheries and policy development agencies of the six riparian countries (Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin). A development of such a regional scheme is likely to be of major socio-economic benefit to countries in other regions of Africa that share water bodies and need protocols for the successful introduction of selective breeding programs to enhance tilapia stocks for future aquaculture development.

Activity:

Four-day regional stakeholder technical workshop.

Objective:

Develop an implementation plan for the use and dissemination of genetically improved Nile Tilapia in the Volta Basin and surrounding areas.

Outputs:

1. Framework for the responsible use of genetically improved Nile tilapia

2. Elements for an agreement for the exchange of improved tilapia seed within the Volta Basin region

3. Template for best management practices and EIA for use of improved germplasm in African aquaculture

4. Description of a selective breeding program and seed dissemination strategy within Ghana and the Volta Basin

5. Elaboration of a seed certification program for the 6 riparian countries

Participants:

Resource managers and policy makers from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin who make decisions on the import, use and dissemination of genetically improved species. International experts in aquaculture and related fields, representatives of FARA (Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa) and NEPAD (New Partnerships for Africa´s Development), organisers and observers

Implementing Agencies:

Menntun Consultoria Cientifica, Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, WorldFish Center, TechnoServe

Funding Agencies:

Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional

Dates: 27-30 March 2007

Venue: Miklin Hotel, Shiashie, East Legon, Accra, Ghana

Secretariat: TechnoServe, No. Z75 Volta Street, Accra, Ghana Tel: (233)-21-773-873; 773-875 Fax: (233)-21-772-789 Email: tns@tnsgh.org

Program:

Tuesday 27^th of March:

AM –

Presentation of the Objectives of the Workshop

Review of Codes of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Dhaka Declaration, Nairobi Declaration, SGRP/GCRP, etc.

GIFT Programme, INGA and Policies on Transfer of Aquatic Germplasm

The need for genetic Improvement in Aquaculture

PEST Analysis

Economic Impact of National Fish Breeding Programs

PM –

Theme I: International Agreements on Movement of Improved Germplasm

Wednesday 28^th of March:

AM – Theme II: EIA & Conservation Plan for Genetic Resources

PM – Theme III: Selective Breeding Program

Thursday 29^thof March:

AM – Theme IV: Hatchery Accreditation

PM – Theme V: Dissemination Program

Friday 30^th of March:

AM – Compilation of Outputs

PM – Presentation of Outputs – next steps