FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN TILAPIA BROODSTOCK MANAGEMENT THE CASE OF Oreochromis andersonii GENETIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IN ZAMBIA

 Broodstock management is a critical component of successful aquaculture operations, as it directly influences  the quality and quantity of fish seed produced.  Effective broodstock management i s  essential in a genetic improvement program, in view of the high level of investment in terms of time, financial and technical resources  required to make the program successful. The following factors have been essential in establishing the breeding program at the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Mwekera, Zambia, and may be helpful to other tilapia programs in the region.

• The selection of high-quality , genetically diverse  founder  broodstock. Genetic diversity is essential in maintaining robust and resilient populations that can adapt to changing environmental conditions.
•  Proper quarantine and health assessment procedures should be carried out to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens within broodstock populations . In addition, b iosecurity measures  should  always be practised in all farm sections.
• Proper feeds and feeding-  which includes choosing the correct type of feed, adequate feeding amounts and frequency comprised a critical component of broodstock care at the breeding Centre . A good nutrition plan ensures broodfish receive balanced, species and stage-specific diets that meet their unique nutritional requirements and promote optimal reproductive performance
•  Monitoring and record-keeping are integral to broodstock management, all fish are tagged to ensure traceability of individual fish and track their performance in each generation. This data-driven approach supports informed decision-making and the selection of the best broodstock for future generations.  When mating, one should consider pairing fish that are unrelated to minimise inbreeding.
•  Finally, responsible broodstock management should uphold  the ethical treatment of broodfish and  species  welfare. Welfare considerations encompass proper housing, handling, and minimising stress  for all handling activities. Broodstock management, therefore requires an u nderstanding and implementation of these key strategies