Training Workshop on Freshwater Fish Nursing Technique to Loc Tri Aquaculture Fisheries Association

On 21st April 2009, IMOLA Project provided the training workshop on freshwater fish nursing technique to Loc Tri Aquaculture Fisheries Association (FA) in response to their request to venture into fish nursing in an attempt to provide better and cheaper fingerling to the FA members.

Around 20 key FA members attended the training. In the morning, the participants were trained on the nursery techniques of some locally available freshwater species such as grass carp, common carp, and tilapia. Opinion expression was welcomed and discussion was opened to the attendants. In the afternoon, trainers, accompanied by the Sub-department of Aquaculture and IMOLA technical staffs, visited four aquaculture ponds of FA members to assess the feasibility and preparation requirement for fish nursing. 3 above-mentioned species are decided to be nursed separately in 4 selected ponds. The on-farm training also provided the participants with practical pond preparation procedures.

This training will be followed by IMOLA's continuous support to the FA including initial fries and other necessary inputs (with counter contribution from the FA) as well as the deployment of a technical staff to monitor the nursing process on weekly basis. With the profit from the first cycle of production, the FA is expected to continue and maintain the production by itself. This venture by the FA would, if successful, provide better quality, cheaper fish fingerlings to FA members while creating an important source of income for the FA for its operation. This would further strengthen the organizational foundation of lagoon co-management in the future.

As aquaculture farmers in Thua Thien Hue province in general, and in Loc Tri commune in particular, are facing difficulties in getting access to good quality fingerlings, this training met the expectations of farmers in the Commune. Once this nursery pilot is successful, the duplication potential is opened to many lagoon FAs.