Cuba introduces genetically-modified tilapia to increase supplies

The Cuban National Fishery Distributing Industry has introduced genetically improved tilapias in order to increase fish supplies for the population in the country's central province, Ciego de Ávila.

According to local media reports, Dacio Gutierrez Padilla, head of the programme to develop tilapias in cages and ponds in Cuba, explained that these fish show a higher degree of daily weight gain, up to four grammes a day, compared to other species in the same period of time.

The fattening of young fish with vegetable protein feed, composed mainly of soy, is carried out as intensive culture in cages and ponds for a six-month period when they gain 300-400 grammes on average.

Ciego de Ávila, central province of Cuba, would act as a reproduction bank of this fresh water species and it is in charge of supplying specimens with a weight of over 250 grammes, ready to reproduce, to other provinces such as Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Holguín and Granma.