Future bright for Timor-Leste with hatchery opening

Hatchery opening signals future
for aquaculture in Timor-Leste

A new hatchery has been unveiled in Timor-Lester as a crucial part of its National Aquaculture Development Strategy (2012-2030).

The plan aims to reduce undernourishment by increasing the consumption of fish per capita from 6-15kg by 2020.

Hatchery for Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) was developed as part of the US$4m Partnership for Aquaculture Development in Timor-Leste project.

“Aquaculture is one of New Zealand’s most important areas of activity in Timor-Leste. It has the potential to dramatically increase the amount of protein available to family, and help farmers improve the viability of their business,” said Jonathan Schwass, ambassador of New Zealand.

GIFT was first supplied to Timor-Leste in April 2015 when stock was sent from WorldFish headquarters in Malaysia to the Gleno Fish Hatchery in Ermera.

WorldFish developed the GIFT strain, which thrives in a wide range of environments and can grow 50-80% faster than other strains of non-improved fish.

It is currently produced in 14 countries and has a lower carbon footprint than either beef or pork. As well as being an affordable source of heart friendly omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients that are vital for childhood development and pregnant mothers.

H. E. Estanislau da Silva, minister of agriculture and fisheries, said: “Aquaculture development is one of the top priorities for this government.”

“And tilapia, in particular, holds great potential because of its versatility, nutritional qualities and potential to address the availability of fish, in particular for resource poor communities.”

The hatchery has the potential of producing up to 5m fish fry per year. This fry can then be supplied to support Timor-Leste’s burgeoning aquaculture industry and proceeds can be ploughed back into the hatchery for running costs and development.

“Timor-Leste has in place an ambitious business plan to build the aquaculture sector and this hatchery will play a pivotal role in the supply of good quality brood stock and seed that will ensure that some of those key goals can be met,” added Nigel Preston, WorldFish director general.

He concluded: “With aquaculture providing such promise in improving food and nutrition security for the Timorese, WorldFish remains fully committed to supporting the growth of the sector.”

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