An overview of the status of aquaculture in the Western Indian Ocean Region : a review.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.The aim of this review is to gave a detailed overview of the status of aquaculture in the Western Indian Ocean Region. Emphasis is based on the legislation, cultured species and candidate species for aquaculture. The review also describes the most recommended species for aquaculture in the region in terms of biology, environmental constraints and factors that inhibit a successful growth. This review covers the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya. Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. Different sources of information are used such as annual reports of each country from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). governmental reports, counties profiles available m the internet. Extensive and semi-intensive aquaculture systems are the most practiced in the WIO countries. Little information is available regarding the environmental impacts associated with aquaculture. The region presents a good potential for developing mariculture. although manculture activities are not yet developed and cannot satisfy the local and international demand for aquatic products. South Africa presents a noticeable development in rearing abalone Haliori: midae while Madagascar and Mozambique the marine shnmp Penaeus monodon. P monodon is the main species reared in the WIO region. Marine species are the most recommended for the region, as opposed to freshwater species, due to the vast coastline. Generally, improvements in the current legislation relating to aquaculture are needed in most of the WIO countries. Mozambique and Madagascar present significant progress in the development of legal framework relating to aquaculture; however, similar efforts have been seen in all countries evaluated. The results of the SWOT (Strengths, Weakness. Opportunities, and Threats) analyses show that the major strength presented by the region is the availability of suitable areas for the aquaculture development. The main strengths regarding aquaculture are the availability of good water quality and Government commitment in developing the sector. The WIO region presents good opportunity to improve the coordination between institutions, avoiding duplications m the process of application for permits. The weaknesses are related mostly to the lack of aquaculture development plans and. although many countries have come as far as drafting such plans, the implementation thereof is still low. The review provides an overview of the current status of aquaculture in the WIO region as well as provides re commendations for best aquaculture pracnces and species that are economically and ecologically suitable. Recommendations are made based on the SWOT analyses for the individual WTO countries from well established aquaculture practicing countries