Karoo Catfish: Bulk Protein for the People?

It has taken a decade to establish the Camdeboo Satellite Aquaculture Project just outside Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. This is one of the more successful aquaculture projects in South Africa. Its a tough market and the biggest challenge is persuading the low income consumer that catfish protein products are a desirable alternative to canned pelagic fish.

Much has been written about Camdeboo Satellite Aquaculture Project (CSAP). Twelve years ago it started as a quirky local community initiative training unemployed women farm workers to grow tilapia in old pig sties. Now joined by other NGOs under the umbrella of the Blue Karoo Trust and branded “Karoo Catch”, the project has built a great hope for establishing freshwater fish farming in arid rural regions – along with promoting food security and rural job creation.

The Tilapia have been switched to Catfish. Six tunnels and a hatchery are fully operational. An employee trust has 80 trained and working, mostly female, members with another 24 on the way. A processing factory has been established.