1. Using Recirculating Aquaculture in South Africa – Business Sense Daniel Miller dmille31@wvu.edu Florida A&M Univ. Farmer to Farmer Stellenbosch, South Africa Feb. 2010

2. Upon the completion of this lesson participants will be able to:   List and describe 4 types of production methods used in South Africa   List the relative cost of production for each of the 3 methods.   Compare the value of species produced in SA.   Identify 3 markets and which ones pay $$$.   Make wise choices based on resources.

3. South Africa Aquaculture production methods   Dams, ponds, reservoirs   Tanks (flow through)   Recirculation systems   Net Pen (ocean ranching) Seapoint Research Aquarium: Cape Town Good design example: rapid solid concentration and removal

4. Relative Control & Production Costs   Dams, ponds, reservoirs: Low control & cost   Tanks (flow through) : Moderate control & cost   Recirculation systems: High control & cost   Ocean pens : ??? High ???

5. Aquacultured species in SA   Abalone (perlemoen): 260 Rand / kg   Rainbow trout: 31- 35 Rand / kg   Kob: 30 Rand / kg   Yellowtail: 17-25 Rand / kg   Salmon   Tilapia Prices do not include value added products

6. Markets for RAS products   Direct to consumer (restaurants, farmer’s market, on site) pays $$$ but it is a smaller market.   Wholesaler pays $$...moderate volume   Processor is the largest market, good for cash flow, but pays $.

7. Autotrophic vs. Heterotrophic   Nitrifying autotrophic bacteria are everywhere. (ubiquitous)   Solid waste in the system water will allow heterotrophic bacteria (not good) to compete with nitrifying autotrophic bacteria (good) in the biofilter.   Remove solids ASAP

8. Brown Blood Disease   Caused by high levels of nitrite in the system water.   Nitrite competes with oxygen for uptake in the gills of fish.   Fish develop brown gill tissue (brown blood)   Chloride ions (NaCl @ 20 mg/l) will reduce nitrite toxicity on fish.

9. RAS Fill-up to Start-up (6 months)   Protect biofilter from sunlight   Stock 6 to 8 weeks after adding water.   Use experienced biomedia to jump start.   Spike water with ammonium nitrate.   Monitor NH3 and Nitrite spikes   Verify NH3 conversion rate / day   Avoid major changes in feed / temp   Monitor closely during first 6 months with analysis. Keep records!

10. Good Business Choices   Choose a low cost method of production   Start small, learn, begin local marketing for highest price. Set your product apart from the rest.   If RAS is chosen as method, maximize value of product. (elec. cost is high % of operational cost)   Smaller fish (fingerlings) have more value per kilogram

11. Where is the trout?   Stellenbosch restaurants sell to affluent diners (tourists).   Restaurants require weekly deliveries.   Restaurants pay highest price to farmer (for dead fish).   Recreational market pays high price but it is very limited.

12. Appropriate Use of RAS in SA   Research for studying new species   Production of fish fingerlings for growout market   Abalone (perlemoen) production   Conservation of water / land resources.   Quarantine / post harvest use.

13. Additional Resources   A Fish Farmers Guide to Understanding Water Quality: http://darc.cms.udel.edu/AquaPrimer/wqualityas-503.pdf   Aquaculture Network Information Center: www.aquanic.org/oindex.htm   Southern Regional Aquacultural Center (SRAC) www.srac.com   Aquatic Eco-Systems – www.aquaticeco.com