A LOCAL Tilapia farmer in Aruligo, North West Guadalcanal, has expressed fears over the sustainability of his farm due to its vulnerability to the effects of climate change.
The Saranga Tilapia Farm breeds over 30,000 tilapias, which fetch the farm owner Maxwell Ham a decent income.
But Ham said changed weather patterns caused by climate change has had a detrimental effect on his farm and he is concerned about its sustainability.
“King tides have been relentless in their onslaught on my farm, disrupting the delicate balance we strive to maintain in our aquaculture practices.
“Though this is not a new thing to happen in my farm, I am very concerned because it threatens its sustainability. I can remember last year that king tides caused by extreme weather washed through my farm affecting the hatchery.
“I lost a huge amount of tilapia to king tides when they washed through the sand dunes that I built with the aim of keeping tides at bay.
“I thought I had done enough to prevent the tides from my tilapia farm but I was wrong. The tides crushed the sand dunes and damaged the hatchery. I was very upset but what can I do?”
Ham said the climate change-induced unpredictable weather patterns nowadays makes it very challenging for him to manage his farm.
“In the case of a tilapia farm, high tides can cause sea water to inundate freshwater ponds, disrupting the salinity levels necessary for optimal fish growth and health. This could result in stressed fish, reduced growth rates, disease outbreaks, and even fish mortality.”
Ham said king tides have detrimental effects on the aquatic ecosystem and are not just a threat to tilapia farms but to human survival in general and this demands urgent collective action by relevant authorities to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure resilience.
“We must adapt and innovate to ensure the continuity of our operations, while preserving the ecological integrity of our surroundings.”
Ham’s tilapia farm mostly the native Mozambique species.
He urged the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to build public-private partnerships to facilitate investment and innovation in the fisheries sector, especially in aquaculture.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
