Comparative cost of production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fry in recirculating and flow-through systems in Kuwait

E.M. Cruzi, M.T. Ridha-2003

Aquaculture Economics & Management, 7(3-4): 213

Abstract:

This study tested the Kuwaiti new indoor tilapia hatchery using the recirculating system, and compared its production costs with those in the flow-through system. Breeders were stocked at 4 fish/m2 at 1:3 male: female sex ratio. Seeds were harvested every two weeks for a period of 1.5 years. Seed production ranged from 45 – 52 seed/m2/d and 105 – 130 seed/kg female/d. Water quality parameters in the different components stayed below lethal concentration.

Analysis of the capital and operating expenses revealed that the new recirculating system cost 9.4 cents per fry compared with 11.0 cents in the flow-through system. Operating expenses accounted for 67.14% of the total annual costs. Salary and wages were the major cost item (74.87%) of the operating expenses.

The cost of producing 0.5-g fry was 6.2 cents per fry. With the use of more spawning and fry rearing tanks, production can be increased from 630,000 to 735,000 1.0-g fry or 950,000 0.5-g with a corresponding decrease in the costs per fry to 7.3 cents and 5.7 cents, respectively.

(Aquaculture, Fisheries and Marine Environment Department, Kuwait)

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