Abstract
The knowledge of socio-economics and livelihoods of milkfish (Chanos chanos) pond farming to coastal communities is limited in Tanzania. This study assessed the milkfish pond farming contribution to the socio-economics and livelihoods along the Tanzanian coastline. Sixty-three milkfish farms were interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. The results indicated that milkfish pond farming was characterized by low production. The milkfish pond production was positively influenced by farmers’ experience, the number of fingerlings stocked, and pond fertilization. However, milkfish pond farming was significantly negatively affected by days of culture and age of the farmers. The results further showed that milkfish pond farming is a source of income to the owners after selling their fish through retail, wholesale, and on-farm sales via mobile phone communications. However, milkfish pond farms in the studied areas had a negative margin considering all financial factors. Interestingly, milkfish pond farming is a source of food, income, and employment to the community. Nevertheless, milkfish pond farming is constrained by inadequate feeds, seeds, funds, technical support, and existence of theft and predators. Therefore, addressing these challenges is necessary for enhancing milkfish pond farming contribution to the socio-economics well-being and livelihoods support for the coastal communities.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the milkfish farmers for their cooperation and commitment during data collection, including for responding to our questionnaire. We appreciate the valuable assistance and support provided by Fisheries Officers in Mtwara, Lindi, Mkuranga, and Pemba during data collection process. We thank the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), the Aquatic BioSolutions Tanzania, the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and the University of Dodoma (UDOM) for granting permission for the authors to participate in the study and for logistical support. We recognize and appreciate the two anonymous reviewers for their critical comments and suggestions during the review process of the manuscript.
Funding
We express our sincere thanks to the Western Indian Marine Sciences Association (WIOMSA) for funding this research (Contract No. MASMA/OP/2020/01).
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Shalli, M.S., Mmochi, A.J., Rubekie, A.P. et al. The contribution of milkfish (Chanos chanos) pond farming to socio-economics and coastal community livelihoods for a sustainable blue economy in Tanzania. Aquacult Int (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-024-01408-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-024-01408-4