Improving Biosecurity in Nascent Aquaculture of Eastern Africa

Aquaculture in East Africa is emerging as an important industry of environmental and social economic change; it is beginning to contribute to food security, improved quality of life, and incomes. For the last decade, eminent intensification, and commercialization of fish culture enterprises has been significant. It is on policy development agenda of all East African countries, with plans and strategies in place to develop small and large scale commercial fish farming. It is further hoped that increased aquaculture fish production, will be instrumental in reducing the gap between supply and the ever increasing fish demand. Apparently, Uganda acts as a regional (East African Community/EAC) aquaculture hub; supplying aquaculture inputs (feed & seed fish) and culture-produced fish to neighboring countries. However, cases of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi, including unexplainable mortalities at both hatcheries and grow-out farms have been established in Uganda. This among others being due to, revealed significant lapses in biosecurity systems at both farm and national level.