Tanlapia Ltd (“Tanlapia”) is a large-scale aquaculture project in Bagamoyo. Since breaking ground in 2020, Tanlapia has grown rapidly , starting to produce fish in 2021 and in 2024 is targeting to harvest around 100 metric tonnes (MT) of tilapia per month , making today Tanlapia the largest producers of Tilapia in the country.
One of Tanlapia’s key advantages is its location based on a 600-hectare fish farm in Kingani, Bagamoyo, on the floodplains of the perennial Ruvu River around 30 km from the Indian ocean and less than two hours from downtown Dar-es-Salaam.
Tanlapia farm uses a hybrid system consisting of:
IPRS is a state-of-the-art aquaculture technology. Fish are held in ‘cells’ which are cement-sided, mesh-ended cages within larger earthen ponds. Water is circulated through the cells and earthen pond with the help of electrically powered aerators. This simulates a river, allowing the areas outside of the cells to act like a large biofilter. This keeps the fish healthy and allows them to be closely monitored for any signs of disease or stress. It also keeps water quality stable, reduce water consumption and feed loss, reducing environmental impact and optimizing operating cost which is key for a successful farm.
Main advantages of the IPRS to Tanlapia are to keep water quality stable in earthen ponds in case if salinity will increase seasonally and during high tide and or flood in Ruvu River. Meanwhile to be a reducing environmental impact and optimizing operating cost. In addition to decrease water consumption as be an ecofriendly aquaculture system .
Without releasing water or waste into nearby waterways, IPRS technology has the potential to significantly outperform traditional ponds in terms of yields. With high yields and minimal environmental impact, IPRS is a more manageable and controllable approach. The system lowers risk, increases yields significantly, and lowers production costs per unit.
Tanlapia primary product is whole, gutted tilapia for the domestic market. Processing is carried out on site in Bagamoy o. Tanlapia team currently harvest four to five times a week and sell out the same day locally or to Dar es Salam area.
Tanlapia employ 24 full time employees, with a variety of skills and qualifications. Only one full time employee is not a Tanzanian national. They also employ approximately 50 casual labourers hired from the local area, both men and women. Women predominate in hatchery and plant processing tasks, but some are also in charge of grow-out operations.