FIL BIOSECURITY RESEARCH
“Providing a science-based approach to improving biosecurity in Catfish and Tilapia industries in Nigeria”
ABOUT
Substantial increase in fish demand and aquaculture growth in the coming years is undeniable; but this sector of agricultural output is still faced with limiting constraints such as aquatic animal diseases of public health implications and indiscriminate chemical/drugs use, which has associated food safety and antimicrobial resistance concerns. Our focus is on Nigeria, being one of the Africa’s largest aquaculture producers, with Clarias spp. or Heterobranchus spp. (catfish) and Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia) being the dominant farmed fish.
OBJECTIVES
To understand epidemiology and health economics of catfish and tilapia aquaculture in Ogun and Delta states, Nigeria
To understand health status of catfish and tilapia in a regional model by employing presumptive field and modern laboratory diagnostics
To identify pathogens of economic significance circulating in Nigerian catfish and tilapia aquaculture using whole genome sequencing
To identify pathogens of economic significance circulating in Nigerian catfish and tilapia aquaculture using whole genome sequencing
To develop science-based policies and strategies for reducing fish disease risks in Nigerian aquaculture for longer-term development.
HOW YOU STAND TO BENEFIT FROM THIS RESEARCH WORK
Through enlightenment programs and understanding of the various risk factors for disease emergence, outbreaks and spread on their farms. Introduction to health management interventions that reduce the fish disease risks, which may have been inadequately practiced or previously lacking, in the areas of fish farming systems and fish seed supply chains.
Decreased disease related losses, by developing a model for increased resilience to aquatic animal diseases, thereby inducing high yield turn-over and increased profitability from catfish and tilapia seed farming.
Provision of clear-cut research findings and capacity development activities to support development and operationalization of a simple and practical national aquatic animal health and biosecurity strategy for implementation. This is with the view of encouraging private and public sector to make the right kind of investments for disease management in aquaculture (e.g. diagnostics, surveillance, emergency preparedness, biosecurity, import/export guidelines including quarantine) contributing to a sustainable catfish and tilapia industry in Nigeria, especially in this period of looming economic recession.
TARGET AREAS
OYO, OGUN AND DELTA STATES
Ogun state 16,432 km2 with a population of 7.1+ million in 2016.
Delta State is an oil and agricultural producing state in Nigeria. It is situated in the region known as the South-South geo-political zone with a population of above 4 million, with an area of 17, 698 km². It is also a USAID-FTF Zones of Influence (ZOI) in Nigeria.
Being the hub of Aquaculture activities in Nigeria determined the selection of Ogun and Delta states, with concentration on major corporate farms, co-operative farms, medium and small-scale aqua-culturists, processing facilities for freezing and smoking, hatcheries and feed mills.