East Coast Aquaculture (Pty) Ltd.
Proudly produced ethically & sustainably in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Production and Consumption Demand for Tilapia has experienced incredible growth rates since 2000 across the world presenting a substantial new business opportunity to Agriculture. We have designed an Aquaculture System using world class technology and responsible best practice to produce Tilapia of high quality in a sustainable, viable and environmentally friendly

10 000 liter Pond

500 gram Tilapia

Who we are & our History. East Coast Aquaculture Pty Ltd is situated in the Ugu District of Kwazulu Natal and owned by African Aquaculture Holdintgs Pty Ltd (61%) and Aqua Vista Fish Farm Pty Ltd (39%). The company was registered in 2016 to commercially breed and produce Tilapia. The Holding Company has been created to attract and hold investment capital from investors wishing to enter the emerging South African Aquaculture Industry and, as the name suggests, explore opportunities beyond the borders of SA as well. In the medium term the Directors intend establishing additional Fish Farms and explore associated Aquaculture opportunities for Land Based Aquaculture in SA (other species such as Catfish, fish processing & marketing). In the mid to long term Export opportunities will also be considered. ECA has undergone a rigorous EIA Process and been issued with a Permit to operate in terms of the relevant regulations. The decision to invest in Commercial Tilapia Farming through ECA is based on 2 principal compelling factors. Tilapia Farming globally is experiencing insatiable growth and more importantly consumption demand – see “Facts About Tilapia page” and South Africa is lagging far behind the rest of the world in Aquaculture generally presents an opportunity to be at the forefront of the emerging local industry.

350 gram Tilapia

Grow-Out Ponds

Grow-In Ponds

 ﷯ As of mid-2017 the Hatchery has been commissioned and operating at 50% of its 50,000 Fry per month maximum capacity to supply ECA with Fingerlings and the market. Quality Brood Stock of Oreochromis mozambiccus Red Strain (Mozambique Tilapia) have been procured and settled into the Breeding Facilities and are reproducing with pleasing results. A Permit Application to also Breed and Farm Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia) is being submitted this year (2017), given its superior growth rates and therefore productive advantages

Brood Tanks

Egg Tumblers

 ﷯ The Farm is situated on the Lower South Coast of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa in the UGU District at Sea Level altitude. The all year climate is sub-tropical making it a suitable location for the Tilapia species. Prior to the establishment of ECA we conducted 3.5 years of research of some of the worlds leading established aquaculture businesses and a number of production methods to determine what method ECA should adopt. Extensive On-Farm Trials were also conducted for 2 years of that Research period to test systems fully. Careful observations of their energy requirements, functionality and effect on fish growth rates and health were observed. As a result of our research and trials we decided to follow the world’s leading modern Aquaculture Production Method known as RAS - Recirculating Aquaculture System for its high production effectiveness and, very importantly, it’s incredibly environmentally friendly and sustainability capabilities. Construction began in July 2016, after receiving a Permit to Operate, and 1 year later all Grow-In Ponds (Fingerling to Sub Adult stage) have been completed and half the Grow-Out Ponds (Sub Adult to Maturity stage) are in place. Additional Ponds are continuing to be constructed as production increases. Our geographic location provides favourable average temperatures and high barometric pressure assisting high levels of crucial oxygen retention in the water. The Farm is designed to hold 36tons of live fish at maximum output capacity and should produce an average 3 tons wet fish per month on a Production Footprint of 1 000m2. A total of 350,000 litres of water, sourced from a Borehole on the Farm, will recirculate through the system once in full production. Fish are fed with a high quality formulated (grain based) feed purchased from a reputable KZN based manufacturer and supplemented with a secret formula of natural ingredients to improve growth rates and taste. No faces or animal manures are used in the feeding program as a rule. Water is slightly salted to assist with bacterial control and assist with fish flavour. The Farm is staffed 24/7/365 and all Critical Systems are protected with Alarms to enable immediate remedial action. Whilst there are a number of Aquaculture Production Systems available, ECA has selected the internationally recognized and acclaimed RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) method of Aquaculture.
 ﷯ This is an Aquaculture System originally developed in Israel and now accepted internationally as the most sustainable method of Commercially Farming Aquatic species. There is no other system that can equal the capabilities of RAS. RAS – What is it exactly? Recirculating Aquaculture System is the world’s leading modern Aquaculture Production Method System offering extremely high production effectiveness and environmental friendliness. It represents an unsurpassed form of Responsible Aquaculture Production. The Core Differentiating Attribute of RAS is the Closed System concept meaning it is not only isolated/secured from the surrounding environment, closed off from the surrounding environment, but has the added benefit of requiring a minimal amount of water to operate. Bio-Security - the risk of the system interacting with the natural environment through contamination, disease, pollution, species release etc, is as close to zero as is currently possible and by continuously recirculating its water through the system results in substantial water preservation with there being minimal need to dump/release water into the environment, which is done via a Release Evaporation Pond. RAS’s are contained within Buildings, Greenhouse and Hydroponic type structures and rely on an extensively technical system of water circulation, filtration and associated processes to provide the optimal climate and water quality so essential to the viability of this Intensive Farming type. It is a highly technical production form and requires a comparatively large capital investment. However if correctly capitalised, designed, and constructed it is highly efficient in terms of what it can produce and if properly managed offers a relatively low cost of operation thereby yielding attractive ROI / ROE. Whilst future technology advances may change its current status, it is our firm belief that RAS is the superior and most responsible method of farming fish in the current era. Very importantly, we are of the firm belief that RAS for Aquaculture is the difference between failure and success.