Many of the people selling such
systems are technical sales people with little
or no background in Aquaculture in Africa, and
some simple calculations would show their
systems are not competitive with traditional
pond-based or cage-based production
techniques. These RAS systems depend on
reasonable cost grid power supplies, and in
Africa obtaining these is expensive, and the
supply is extremely unreliable. Back-up
generators just add to the cost, and are often
so poorly maintained that their reliability in
an emergency situation is suspect.
Unfortunately these “white
elephants” are not only giving RAS a bad
name, but also (from an investment aspect)
Aquaculture in general, and South African
systems in particular an unsavory reputation.
While there is no doubt that
RAS has a place in the overall scheme of
things, most applications of these
technologies are usually only cost-effective
for tasks such as hatcheries and holding
systems. In Africa, with such a wealth of
still unexploited sites for gravity fed ponds
and quality waterbodies for cages, it will be
long time before RAS can produce fish at the
same price.
Agriculture, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Consulting
East African Community and SADC
Region
Phone ++260 965 445464
(Zambia)