Seafood fisheries invest over K2m in aquaculture
By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
OVER K2 million to establish an aquaculture operations in Siavonga district, Southern Province has been invested by Seafood Fisheries, as it explores regional and international markets.
Currently, the company produces about 10 tonnes of tilapia fish per annum and also harvests crayfish, says Seafoods Fisheries and Lake Farms Limited Managing Director, Muzalema Mwanza.
Ms Mwanza said they harvest tilapia and crayfish, as well as process it, which was being sold locally.
She said the company is looking at exporting the crayfish and tilapia to South Africa and Hong Kong, with further expansion into the local market. “We are a Small and Medium Enterprise who started business in 2018 with my sister selling fish in a cooler box at the back of the car and we thought of how we can expand our business.
“We currently have fish cage in Siavonga which is able to host 20,000 fingerlings. Through this business we have not only been able to empower ourselves but also employees that work for us,” Ms Mwanza said in an interview recently.
She indicated that the company works with fisher men in Siavonga under the out-grower scheme, stating that they have been able to empower them with boats and fishing nets.
In turn, these fisher men sell tilapia and crayfish to the company, which Ms Mwanza said it had helped to create jobs and earn an income for the people within the community.
“Right now we sell tilapia and crayfish to different buyers, hotels, restaurants, wholesalers, marketers, and traders. We are also looking at the export market such as South Africa and Hong Kong as well,” Ms Mwanza indicated.
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