Fish production from capture fisheries has not increased in correspondence to the growing world population. Recent global aquaculture production increased in all regions except Africa, probably due to the high cost of fish feeds, given that most African fish farmers are largely resource-poor.
In developing countries, fish stocking with extensive production can be an option in the attempt to compensate the dearth in fish production related to stock depletion in capture fisheries and high feed costs in aquaculture. Hence, the present study investigated the survival of Clarias gariepinus fry stocked in a wetland.
Six hundred 21-day old C. gariepinus fry of mean total length 1.46 cm and mean weight 0.097 g were stocked in the wetland of the University of Buea, Cameroon, campus and let to scavenge, without supplementary feeding, for 180 days. Protection from predators was not provided.
The results showed 7.17% survival rate with a higher number of adult females than males, while the males recorded higher final weight (P<0.05) (Table 1). Growth was hypoallometric (Figure 1). This first trial showed that stocking C. gariepinus fry in a restricted habitat without supplementary feeding nor protection resulted in a relatively substantial recovery rate and growth. This may indicate that there is potential for an even higher survival and growth if the habitat is manipulated to preclude predation and if stocking and harvesting are timed aptly.