Katima aquaculture centre inaugurated

An inland aquaculture centre at Katima Mulilo, with a production capacity of 1.5 million fingerlings per season, was inaugurated last week. The facility, which is located near the Zambezi River, will improve the country’s food security by enhancing fish production. Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Bernard Esau, Spanish ambassador to Namibia Carmen Diez, together with Zambezi Regional Governor Lawrence Sampofu and Katima Mulilo Mayor Charles Matengu, inaugurated the centre. The centre is able to produce fingerlings of tilapia and catfish, both indigenous to the region. It aims to provide good quality fingerlings, as well as technical support and training to the local fish farmers. The guests viewed the installations and equipment of the centre, including the breeding ponds, the hatchery laboratory and office, and the nursery and sedimentation pond. This important investment is part of a broader project to support aquaculture in Namibia. Other components of the project are specialised training for aquaculture, together with the University of Namibia (Unam), as well as technical assistance to improve the Fish Feed Plant at Onavivi in the Omusati Region. There will also be an assessment of marketing and other activities. Spain donated N$16 million towards this project. Diez said her government had been collaborating with Namibia over the past 25 years, working towards sustainable development and fighting poverty. WINDHOEK STAFF REPORTER