Spain group assesses greenhouse tilapia farming

The Tecnova Technological Centre has concluded a project on greenhouse tilapia farming, having evaluated the theoretical development, and technical and economic viability of the activity.

The project 'New Alternatives in Aquaculture: Intensive Greenhouse Tilapia Farming' was developed with collaboration with the Aquaculture Technology Centre Foundation of Andalusia (Ctaqua) and greenhouse construction firms of the province - Invernaderos Ferrer, Tecnoponiente, Novedades Agricolas, Agro-Inver and Frada Invernaderos.

Tilapia is a species that can be cultivated easily since it adapts to a wide range of environments, has high rates of reproduction and survival, and a high resistance to disease. These qualities have made tilapia the second-leading group of farmed fish in consumption and production, after carp.

The species of tilapia more suitable for cultivation are the omnivores, adapted to feed with low animal protein levels, which allows for more economic and environmentally sustainable production, Tecnova said. The recommended commercial stocks include the hybrids of the species Oreochromis aureus, O. mossambicus and O. Niloticus.

During the development of the project, auxiliary greenhouse structures and equipment that would be necessary for tilapia farming in Mediterranean areas were designed.

Members of the department of Engineering at the Tecnova Foundation carried out a study of the possible greenhouse structures in which tilapia farming is possible, taking into consideration the energy losses of farming pools and the greenhouse itself.

This research generated interest in the corporate sector, which is why Tecnova is already working on the development of a new project of experimental farming, to be able to offer more information.