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Spiny Lobster Closed Season is April 1 – June 30 each year
Government of Jamaica

Telephone

+1 876 948 9014

Email Address

fisheries@nfa.gov.jm

Office Address

2C Newport East, Kingston, Jamaica

Aquaculture

Aquaculture

DEPARTMENT

Aquaculture

Commercial aquaculture was introduced to Jamaica in 1976 through a USAID/GOJ funded project. This project was very successful and led to the establishment of aquaculture in Jamaica. Although aquaculture has grown to include shrimp farming and ornamental aquatic flora and fauna species, tilapia is the main food fish produced in Jamaica both for local consumption as well as for export.

Contact us

112 +

Fish Framers

455 +

MT of Tilpia

860 +

Earthen Ponds

AQUACULTURE

Because Nothing Grows Faster Than Fish

Aquaculture supports making meaningful contributions not only to food security but to the livelihood of its constituents.

Tilapia Farming

Breeding Goldfish

Breeding Angelfish

Oyster Cultivation

Breeding Ornamental Fish

AQUACULTURE

STARTING A FRESHWATER FISH FARM

Good management practices include proper and limited handling of fish, proper feeding techniques, correct stocking densities and good water quality management.

01

Sourcing Seedstock

Tilapia production requires the sourcing of either fingerlings or advance fry seedstocks.
02

Pond Preparation

Before delivery of stock, pond must be cleaned, filled and fertilized.
03

Transporting Fish

The fish should be loaded and unloaded with minimum handling and stress.
04

Stocking Fish

Fish should be slowly adjusted to water temperature and chemistry, then released and observed.

Tilapia Farming

Managing a Healthy Tilapia Operation

Fish farming is a business that must be taken seriously. If proper management is not employed, serious losses may be encountered. Good management practices include proper and limited handling of fish, proper feeding techniques, correct stocking densities and good water quality management.

How to stock tilapia

Before the arrival or even the purchasing of the fish, you should determine the quantity and size of the fish you wish to stock because overstocking can pose serious threat to fish’s health.

Fish should be slowly adjusted to water temperature and chemistry. Proper acclimation requires minimum 15 – 20 minutes of gradual adjustment for every 10-degrees difference in water temperature.

After temperatures have been equalized, gently allow fish to swim out in open water by submerging the container.

How to feed tilapia

Feeding of tilapia is done based on percentage body weight. The main problem that most farmers encounter is overfeeding. Overfeeding generally causes deterioration of water quality which then kills the fish.

See Feeding Chart HERE

How to manage water quality

Good water quality is necessary for the success of every farm. Some parameters to keep in mind are as follows:

  • Dissolved Oxygen: This is the amount of oxygen in pond water that is available to be used by fish. The acceptable range for freshwater fish is 5 – 7mg/L
  • Ammonia: Comes from the decomposition of wastes. It is very poisonous to fish and will cause death. Levels should be below 0.05mg/L.
  • Nitrite: Very poisonous to fish and causes Brown blood disease, which kills fish. Must be below 0.01mg/L
  • Hydrogen Sulphide: Colourless toxic gas with an odour similar to rotten eggs. It kills fish by interfering with respiration. However, it can be treated with potassium permanganate or liming.