WorldFish through USAID funded Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia in
Bangladesh (CSISA-BD) project distributed improved Tilapia (From 60 Families of
14 generation) germplasm to the hatcheries as an initiative taken by the WorldFish for
improving production of quality fish seed.
Dr. Md. Abul Hasnat, District Fisheries Officer, Department of Fisheries, distributed
the Improved Tilapia germplasm among 06 hatcheries of northwest Bangladesh in
a ceremony held at Proshika carp hatchery with WorldFish Hub Manager Dr. Md.
Nahiduzzaman in the chair.
Department of Fisheries, Private Tilapia hatchery owners, BFRI, CSISA-IRRI, CSISACIMMYT, nursery operator commercial fish farmers, NGO’s, journalists and input
traders were present at the time of distribution.
Over the past eleven years, there has been huge growth in tilapia farming in the country.
Dr. Nahid, WorldFish Bangladesh noted that production has increased from about
4000 metric tons in 2002 to 138,000 metric tons in 2012 and it is predicted that it will
increase again to 150,000 metric tons at the end of 2015. He stressed on the importance
of how improved germplasm can contribute to increase tilapia production in this region.
Presently, there are about 400 tilapia seed production hatcheries and these hatcheries are
producing about 3.5-4.0 billions of monosex/mixedsex seeds every year to support tilapia
farming at over 6000 commercial farms in Bangladesh.
Although there is good growth, there are still problems around seed production. Dr.
Nahid noted that gross anomalies have been observed recently in respect to brood fish
management and stock replacement due to the establishment of a huge number of tilapia
hatcheries in the country. As a result, limited numbers and repeated use of brood fish is
leading to the problems associated with stock deterioration and inbreeding. In regards to
these problems, the genetic deterioration of brood stock and poor hatchery management
has been considered as the greatest constraint for quality seed production. Farmers have
reported that in grow-out they are not getting the expected size of fish for market due to
the use of inferior quality tilapia seeds from these hatcheries.
In order to combat the problems with tilapia seed quality, CSISA-BD, WorldFish
have recently established a ‘Tilapia Breeding Nucleus’ (TBN) in a private hatchery
in Mymensingh for the production and dissemination of improved germplasm of
tilapia. WorldFish is planning to distribute the improved germplasm of tilapia to 100
tilapia hatcheries all over Bangladesh. The aim of this initiative is to develop such a
breeding system that minimizes inbreeding and also develop high quality broodstock
management system that maintains purity of distributed base stocks. This innovative
approach of WorldFish is undoubtedly, a milestone to ensure a large scale production
and dissemination of improved germplasm of tilapia for fostering sustainable aquaculture
development in Bangladesh.
Dr. Abul Hasnat, District Fisheries Officer, Department of Fisheries (DoF) and also chief
guest of the improved Tilapia brood distribution ceremony expressed his cordial thanks to
the WorldFish for extending support in country’s fisheries improvement.
It may be mentioned here that WorldFish has been working with 15 private (carp and
Tilapia) hatcheries to support them in developing business and technical plan, improving
genetically improved Catla and Mrigal (origin- Halda river) and Rui (origin – Karnafully
Hatchery) and Sarpunti (Origin- BFRI) and Tilapia brood stock (Origin-WorldFish,
Malaysia). CSISA-BD WorldFish also distributed 15 Water Aeration Tower to the 15
hatcheries for increasing survival of spawn through increasing rate of dissolved oxygen in
the hatchery water. –Our Correspondent, Rangpur
