Foundation fish brood stock & fry production Unit

The Major Fish Program’s focus is Supporting sustainable Fish genetic development, utilisation, management and conservation of Fish Genetic Resources in both fisheries, aquaculture and other related aquatic environments, with the following key focus areas;

1. Establishing systems for production of founder broodstock of improved culture strains
2. Conservation and development of indigenous fish genetic resources
3. Monitoring of fish breeding and multiplication activities in the country
4. Training fish breeders, farmers and extension staff on fish breeding and management technologies
5. Reviewing of regulatory framework(s) on fish breeding
6. Fostering fish breeders’ associations/societies

Fish is one of the most important commodities in Uganda, it provides employment, income and nutritional security to Ugandans. It is also a major foreign exchange earner earning approximately $127 million. Uganda currently produces about 450,000mt of fish a year from capture fisheries and about 116,000mt from aquaculture. Due to high increase in population and demand for fish, there has been an increased pressure on wild fish stocks which has increased the supply deficit to between 180,000 and 330,000mt annually. Aquaculture has been identified as a potential sustainable solution to fish production and supply with a target of 1 million metric tons and 700,000 metric tons from capture fisheries. This requires strategic scientific efforts in both fisheries and aquaculture to improve production and productivity through genetic development and conservation towards a sustainable industry.

NAGRC & DB is a major stakeholder in the fish industry working towards contributing significantly to the growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector to achieve the national medium and long-term fisheries and aquaculture production, which will ultimately enhance sustainability of Uganda’s fisheries and aquaculture industry

Supporting sustainable market-oriented fish production and genetic improvement for improved food security and household income

• Phenotypic and genetic characterisation of cultured and wild fish stocks. This is aimed at establishing wild and cultured fish population structures which will enhance monitoring of the trends of Fish Genetic Resources and formulation of conservation strategies.
• Establishment of fish breeding and production facilities on NAGRC’s Animal Genetic Resources Centres. The establishment of facilities in all regions of the country is to ultimately increase availability and access to superior cultured fish strains seed to farmers. These facilities are used as farmer training centres for the fish farming communities.
• Establishment of nucleus farmers in breeding programs. Production of superior cultured fish strains in different regions/Agro-ecological zones in relation to their respective environmental conditions is achieved through working with farmers and hatchery operators in particular regions.
• Regular training of fish breeders/farmers and extension workers for sustainable aquaculture production
• Strengthening partnership/collaboration linkages with MDAs, international institutions and organisations for capacity building and development and implementation of a number of breeding and conservation programs.
• Conservation of Fish genetic resources following characterisation

Continuous evaluation of different fish species and strains for production of founder broodstock of superior strains and species.