Risk Analysis relating to imported strains of Nile Tilapia into West Africa
The Nile Tilapia Breeding and Selection Program has been going on at the Water Research Institute’s (WRI) Aquaculture Research and Development Centre (ARDEC) since 1991. Samples of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus were collected from various agro-ecological zones within Ghana. These Nile tilapia populations were taken through a number of genetic experiments, which culminated in formation of a broad base population with enough genetic variation to begin a breeding and selection program In 1999. After a decade of the breeding and selection work, the Akosombo strain of Nile tilapia was developed. This new strain of tilapia grows about 30 % faster than other farmed tilapia currently In the West African sub-region, enabling fish farmers to harvest them after five to six months instead of the usual eight months needed for the un-improved stock. It also has a higher survival rate.