Production principles for hatchery success

The hatchery is the foundation of a fish farm. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, says that by following his six hatchery principles, farmers can set a trajectory for success in the grow-out phase.

- Leslie Ter Morshuizen

Fish farming begins in the hatchery, and the quality and quantity of fish that leave the hatchery direct the level of success achieved in the grow-out phase and thereby the economic viability of the fish farming business.

In this feature, we look at some of the principles that should be applied in the hatchery to set the right trajectory for the rest of the farm.

1. HEALTH

The importance of health in the hatchery cannot be overstated. When securing broodstock, remove all parasites and pathogens so that you are operating the hatchery as a disease-free environment.

When, rather than if, problems occur during incubation and fry rearing, the absence of infectious agents greatly reduces fish losses and simplifies the application of solutions.

Furthermore, when the fingerlings are moved to the grow-out phase, or sold to grow-out farms, the absence of infectious diseases is a major benefit.

2. OVERPRODUCE

Always produce more fish than you require. Not only do breeders provide varying quantities of eggs at each spawning, but the number of fingerlings raised in each batch is only an estimate. By producing greater numbers than are required, you ensure that you'll always have sufficient fish for your requirements.

Every batch comprises fish that vary in size. The larger fish are faster growing and are therefore the ones that are desired for the grow-out phase; smaller fish are slower growing and therefore undesirable for grow-out.