Blue Growth Initiative through Farming of Silver Pompano (Trachinotus blochii) and Rabbit Fish (Siganus sutor) for Food Security and Improved Livelihood in East Africa (BLUEGRASI)

PI: Dr Aviti John Mmochi

Senior Lecturer, Marine Chemistry and Mariculture, Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS), University of Dar es Salaam

Co-PI: Dr. David Oersted Mirera

Senior Research scientist Mariculture, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)

Co-PI: Dr. Salum S. Hamed,

Lecturer, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, University of Dodoma (UDOM)

Other investigators

1. Dr. Amon P. Shoko: Principal Aquaculture Scientist,Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI),
2. Dr. Samweli Mchele Limbu: Lecturer Aquaculture, Department of Aquatic Science and Fisheries Technology,
3. Ms. Miriam Wainaina: Research Scientist Mariculture, KMFRI
4. Dr. Hieromin A. Lamtane: Senior Lecturer Aquaculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture,
5. Dr.Narriman S. Jidawi: Senior Scientist, Institute of Fisheries Research Zanzibar (IFRZ)
6. Ms. Esther M. Wairimu: Research Scientist, KMFRI
7. Mr. Brendan Muli: Project Coordinator Mariculture,Kwetu Training Centre
8. Dr. Mwanahija Shali, Senior Lecturer Socio-economics, IMS, University of Dar es Salaam
9. Dr. Levinus L. Mapenzi: Lecturer Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, UDOM
10. Dr. Gloria Yona, Senior Aquaculture Scientist
11. Mr. Buryan H. Musa, Hatchery Manager, Ministry of Natural Resources, Livestock and Fisheries, Zanzibar,

General Objectives

To increase fish production through silver pompano and rabbit fish farming in Tanzania and Kenya marine waters.

Specific Objectives

1. To breed and produce seeds for silver pompano and rabbit fish under hatchery conditions.
2. To examine growth performance of silver pompano and rabbit fish fed on different feed diets and stocked at different densities.
3. iii. To evaluate the cost of farming silver pompano and rabbit fish in comparison to other cultured species and impact on community livelihoods.

• Increased knowledge and number of fingerlings produced for marine species.
• Increase in number of mariculture farmers doing cage and pond culture of high value marine fish species.
• Increased production and income from high value marine fish species.

• Breeding of silver pompano and rabbit fish in laboratory.
• Larval rearing of the two species in laboratory.
• Conduct growth performance and optimum stocking density of the two culture species.
• Undertake cost analysis of farming the two species and impact on community livelihoods.

Email: avitimmochi@gmail.com