WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2025 49 before the 2010s (Figures 3-6). This also hindered the implementation of effective measures during disease outbreaks. Moreover, the conditions and quantities of tilapia broodstock remain insufficient for most local hatcheries. Consequently, there is a reliance on producing qualified juveniles on local farms. Due to the relatively short development history of the aquaculture industry, Saudi Arabia also lacked experienced farm management personnel in the 1990s and 2000s, making recruitment and training of local personnel a significant challenge. The absence of vocational training organizations was also one of the main issues facing the industry. 1. Solution and improvement of tilapia aquaculture in Saudi Arabia Since 2018, the MEWA has promoted tilapia farming for national aquaculture development under Vision 2030, the national development program in Saudi Arabia, which aims to establish food security and sustainability strategies for the country’s environment and agriculture sectors. The new national development program has integrated government, private, and academic resources into the tilapia aquaculture industry. It aims to improve and strengthen technology transfer, farm management and operations, workforce training, disease prevention, and marketing. The MEWA has collaborated with local universities, international organizations, and national research centers to improve technology transfer and farm management. They regularly organize training courses and workshops to provide learning opportunities for fish farmers and companies. Moreover, national research centers and multiple semiofficial organizations offer assistance and consultation (Figure. 7). They will also provide quality tilapia fry to farmers and companies to improve the overall quality of farm operations. Regarding disease prevention, the MEWA regularly convenes leading aquaculture companies to hold biosecurity seminars to understand the current operating status of the industry (Figure 8). They also compile annual statistics on fish disease types and (CONTINUED ON PAGE 50) FIGURE 3. Local outdoor tilapia farm. Source: Benjamin C. Young. FIGURE 4. Local outdoor tilapia farm. Source: Benjamin C. Young. FIGURE 5. Local indoor tilapia farm. Source: Benjamin C. Young. FIGURE 6. Tilapia farm operations. Source: Benjamin C. Young. Saudi Arabia’s total tilapia aquaculture production is around 45,200 tons, and in 2023, tilapia farming accounted for almost 32% of national aquaculture production. The second highest production is North African catfish, which is about 1,230 tons. Therefore, tilapia is essential in the national aquaculture sector for rural development and food security.
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