Research & Development
  • Tilapia

    american_samoa_tilapia3_b1Tilapia culture in American Samoa involves a hybrid flow through system--greenwater culture with minimal supplemental aeration. Effluent is typically used to cultivate taro, papaya, coconut, breadfruit and other plants. The implementation of cages, nets and similar methodologies for separating different sizes and sexes of fish will most likely aid documentation of production, facilitate harvesting of marketable fish, and promote controlled breeding programs.

    Feed formulation and manufacturing using locally available feedstuffs is one of the greatest challenges currently. Local availability of fishmeal from tuna processing results in a relatively inexpensive and consistent supply of protein. In conjunction with modifications in culture practices, this improvement in nutrition should help improve tilapia production in greenwater systems and facilitate the success of aquaponic systems in American Samoa.