Traditional Aquaculture Systems in Sierra Leone :-
Potential for development of Inland aquaculture

S.K. Sankoh (3rd year PhD.) and K. J. Rana (Dr.)
Sks2@stir.ac.uk & kjr3@stir.ac.uk

ABSTRACT

The potential for developing inland fisheries/aquaculture production systems in Sierra Leone was assessed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Models. Models were developed using Political, Socio-economic and Natural Resources data.

Current Traditional aquaculture production systems were used as references for criteria development, and local farmers were involved in the process of deciding what is considered suitable and unsuitable sites for Aquaculture Development.

The models confirms that –
• Sierra Leone has the Natural Resources for developing Aquaculture
• Access to Land/Water and the Tenure system is conducive for Aquaculture development, and Lots of indigenous species of fish could easily be developed for culture based fisheries
• Production levels of Traditional aquaculture systems are fairly high but difficult to monitor.
• Family labour mostly used in traditional aquaculture production systems is cheap and readily available.
• Commercial Production systems should be carefully planned to make such a venture Profitable at the local markets.
• Inputs and Support Services (especially Technical) are either lacking or inadequate to stimulate large scale Aquaculture development efforts
• The traditional Farming systems- Shifting cultivation and bush fallow are a major Impediment for integration of fish farming into the traditional crop farming system (especially Ponds)
• Models developed in the study can be used as tools in developing strategies for a systematic development of Inland Fisheries/Aquaculture in the Country, and to predict trends in aquaculture development.