CSIR LAUNCHES RAPID CITIZEN SCIENCE SURVEY FOR NILE TILAPIA IN SOUTH AFRICAN WATERCOURSES
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is calling on South Africans to participate in a rapid citizen science survey to source knowledge on the distribution of Nile tilapia in South African watercourses.
This citizen science survey forms part of a national Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for aquaculture development in South Africa. According to Lizande Kellerman, the CSIR Environmental Scientist coordinating this study, the SEA was commissioned by the National Departments of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). It forms part of Operation Phakisa and is aimed at promoting and supporting the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry in South Africa. She adds that Nile tilapia is a candidate species being investigated in the SEA as a potential species to be incentivised for farming, but is also known to pose a risk to South Africa’s indigenous fish species. The survey aims to provide a better understanding of the presence and distribution of Nile tilapia in South African watercourses and will also serve as initial input for a national-scale biodiversity initiative to be undertaken by DEA in collaboration with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
How can you contribute? Please complete the online submission form below to provide us with details of your Nile tilapia catches by 30 September 2017.
* is a required field
Please send an email to aquasea@csir.co.za with Subject: Nile tilapia should you have any trouble completing this form.
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