The opening of the hatchery contributes to realising the goals of Timor-Leste’s National Aquaculture Development Strategy (2012-2030), which includes increasing annual farmed fish production to 12,000 tons by 2030 and supporting an increase in annual fish consumption to 12 kg per year.
The fourth private genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) hatchery has opened on the south coast of Timor-Leste, marking another step in the country’s aquaculture development.
The hatchery was inaugurated by Marcus da Cruz, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry and Philip Hewitt, New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste.
“The Colocau GIFT hatchery is expected to produce more than five million GIFT monosex GIFT fingerlings per year, which will be supplied to local fish farmers in Manufahi and nearby municipalities,” said Hewitt at the event.
“This will have great advantages for the aquaculture sector, enabling fish farmers to produce more farmed tilapia, thereby making it easier for consumers to access fresh fish in the future. This will help combat malnutrition among children in Timor-Leste.”
The Colocau GIFT hatchery was established in partnership with the Same Construction business, the hatchery owner, as part of the Partnership for Aquaculture Development in Timor-Leste Phase 2 (PADTL2) project (2020-2024).
The project is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and led by WorldFish in partnership with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries (MALFF).
The Timor-Leste Government is committed to scaling aquaculture to enhance the livelihoods nutrition and food security of rural households, explained Marcus da Cruz at the event.
The Colocau GIFT hatchery is the fourth of its kind to be set up by the PADTL2 project. The other hatcheries are spread across the country’s west, east and centre-Leohitu (Bobonaro municipality), Parlamento (Lautem municipality), and Hera (Dili municipality).
These efforts are critical to realising the goals of the National Aquaculture Development Strategy (2012-2030), including increasing annual farmed fish production to 12,000 tons by 2030 and supporting an increase in annual fish consumption to 12 kg per year.
