Hiskia Asino, a final-year PhD student in Aquaculture and Nutrition at the Sam Nujoma UNAM campus in Henties Bay, is making significant strides with his research on the potential of aquaculture to tackle some of Namibia’s most pressing socio-economic challenges.

His work investigates the impact of substituting traditional fish meal with seal meal on the growth and physiological development of two tilapia species: Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) and Oreochromis andersonii (Zambezi bream).

Asino’s findings indicate that Nile tilapia, imported from Thailand, grows considerably faster than Zambezi bream when both are raised under the same diet and environmental conditions, offering valuable insights into species performance in aquaculture systems.

With Namibia grappling with high unemployment and food insecurity, experts like Asino advocate for the development of a robust aquaculture industry as a transformative solution.

He emphasizes the country’s extensive coastline and plentiful water resources as conducive to fish farming, which could yield a sustainable, locally produced protein source, thereby reducing reliance on imported seafood.

In addition to enhancing food security, the aquaculture sector has significant potential for job creation.

Asino points out that fish farms, hatcheries, and processing plants could generate thousands of jobs, particularly in rural and coastal areas where employment opportunities are limited. By pursuing this path, aquaculture could help alleviate hunger and poverty while fostering economic growth throughout the country.