Tilapia cage culture is growing tilapia in cages made of nylon nettings and bamboo frames

that are floated, submerged or fixed at the bottom. It utilizes bodies of water such as dams, rivers, lakes,
bays, reservoirs and coves. This is one of the effective technologies used in raising tilapia. It started out
in 1974 in the Philippines in Sampaloc Lake and Laguna Bay and being practiced now in different regions
like in Magat Dam Reservoir in Region II and Taal Lake in province of Batangas, Luzon Island

The following are the advantages of tilapia cage culture:

easier handling, inventory and harvesting of fish
better control of fish population
efficient control of fish competitors and predators
effective use of fish feeds
reduced mortality
high stocking rate
total harvesting and swift or immediate return of investment
less manpower requirement
minimum supervision
There are two types of cage design fixed and floating. The fixed cage is suitable with a water depth of
1 to 5 meters and the usual size is 50 to 200 square meters.
The floating fish cage, on the other hand is from 5 meters deep and about 50 x 25 x 3 cubic meters
depending on the area where the fish cage is placed. It is supported at the bottom with a stone weighing
40 to 100 kilos and covered with a net to prevent the fishes to escape.
The success of the project depends on the quality of breeds or species of fish as well as the production
capability of the selected site in enhancing the maximum growth of the fish. Tilapia species is widely used
as fish stock because it grows fast. It takes only four months for fingerlings to reach an average weight
of 100 grams.
Site Selection
Water circulation. The Magat Dam has water current circulation throughout the area that gives a
continuous flushing of water inside the cages, making dissolved oxygen highly available to fish and wash
out metabolites. Wind direction from northeast to southeast or vice versa prevails in the months of March
to August. The prevailing winds augment the distribution of natural fish food within the dam.
Protection from winds and waves. Locate the site in waters protected from strong wind action and water
currents caused by flush flood or heavy runoff. In the Magat Dam, there are few floating debris; the
quantity increases as the wind changes its direction and force. However, this could be checked by
providing floating bamboo barricades or wave breakers facing the direction of the wind.
Dissolved oxygen concentration. The ideal range of dissolved oxygen concentration on the water must be
at least 3 ppm (parts per million). For tilapia, a lesser ppm is not considered lethal. However, growth and
reproduction is greatly affected.
Temperature. This is one factor that plays a major role in the growth of the fish stock. The suggested
range is from 20C to 30C. The lethal temperature levels are 12C and 42C.
Pollution. The fish-farmer should know the effect of thermal, biological and chemical pollutants to the fish
stock which may come from domestic, industrial and agricultural sources. pH Level. To enhance a better
growth, the recommended pH range is 6.8 to 8.0.
Accessibility. The site must be accessible to land and water transportation to facilitate bringing in of
inputs and marketing of produce.
Other factors. One social problem existing in any fishery establishment is poaching. Poachers get into the
project at night, bore hole on nettings to let the stock escape, then set gill net on surroundings of the
project. This gives a bountiful catch overnight. This problem can be remedied by the management by
establishing good public relation with the people in the vicinity. Another consideration is the source of
fingerlings for periodic stocking.
Structural Design and Construction of Cages
The design of fish cages is determined by the behavior of the culture species. For Tilapia nilotica, which is
less active and sometimes territorial in habitat, the shape of the cage does not affect its mobility. In this
case, design rectangular cages for easy assemblage and management. The arrangement of the cages is
not a problem if there are only few of these. However, 8 or more should be arranged depending upon the
direction of the wind.
There are many kinds of nets that could be used for cage fabrication. The most common are the B-net
(1/4? mesh), DD-net (3/8? mesh) and CC-net (1/2# mesh). However, the most popular is the B-net
because smaller fingerlings do not need a nursery cage. It is cheaper per unit area because it is wider
(108 inches) than other nets, hence, labor cost in fabricating cages is much lower, and tearing of one or
two meshes do not easily provide an escape route for bigger fish.
Generally, floating net fish cages are made of nylon nettings supported on all sides and corners with
polyethelyne rope fixed by a nylon twine. Each is hung within a rectangular area, the top is supported by
bamboo braces and the bottom is provided with lead sinkers. The size of net cages used in Magat Dam
for commercial production of tilapia is 6 m deep, 6 m wide and 12 m long. This size makes possible the
full utilization of bamboo poles and nets. To do it, hang the net cages in bamboo raft type frame which
also serve as catwalk for workers allowing 1 m of the net above the water level and fix the synthetic
ropes to four corners of the poles to prevent the fish from escaping by jumping out. The longest side of
the cages is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the wind.
Construct the net fish cages in the following manner:
* Cut the net according to desired specification
* Double-lace every mesh of the four corners using nylon twine 210 d/6, double-twine beginning at the
second mesh row using rolling hitch or clove hitch with a single hitch as lock at intervals of 7.62 10.16
cm.
* Double-lace the nylon salvage net to the top edges of the cage with a nylon twine, using either a rolling
hitch or clove hitch with single hitch as lock. Start the second half from the second mesh row.
* Rig all sinkers (No. 7) to the rib lines of the bottom side and centers. Attach the rib lines on all sides
using rolling or rib hitch with an interval of 7.62 10.16 cm.
* Make splices on the four corners of the hanging lines (top portion of net cage) for the attachment of
four stretching ropes with weight. Continue with the other units following the same procedure.

Fish Stocking and Stocking Rate

Stock fish either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the water is relatively cool.
Acclimatize the fingerlings before stocking them. To do this, float bags of fingerlings in water where the
fish is to be stocked, thereby allowing the water on the bags to float on the pond for 30 minutes.
Determine the water temperature of both bag and pond waters with a thermometer. A difference of more
than 30C may cause eventual death of stock. Open the bags and introduce water gradually from the
pond to the plastic bags until the temperature is almost the same. Let the fingerlings get out freely from
the bags.
The number of fingerlings to be stocked in a cage varies from 10 15 pieces per cu m to reach a size of
100g each in 150 days without supplementary feeding during summer months. Use the same density at
the start of the rainy months up to early part of summer. However, the growth rate is lower during rainy
months because the water is cooler and there is little presence of natural food in the water.
Management in Cages
Tilapia in cages require minimal care and maintenance. Aside from occasional intrusion of predators,
mechanical damage to the net screen and poaching, no serious problem can be expected.
Feeds and Feeding. Feeding of tilapia in cages is necessary for higher yield especially if productivity of the
surrounding water is poor. Feed ingredients are locally available and economical. Supplementary feeds
given to the fish using 3-5% body weight as basis for food ration per day. Divide the ration into 4
portions at an interval of 2 hours adjusted directly after sampling. Place feeds in small plastic bags.
Weigh and label carefully according to the number of cages to avoid error when feeding.
Precautionary Measures. Before the onset of predictable bad weather, loosen anchor ropes and using a
banca, tow all the units towards a sheltered area. Put additional anchors to strengthen the whole project
units.
Maintenance of Support Facilities. Support facilities refer to the service banca raft, caretakers hut and
other facilities in the project. The banca should always be in tip-top condition since this is the only
available means of transporting the produce and for management personnel to supervise the project.
Protect plastic and pandan bags, styrofoam boxes, spare nylon net cages, nylon twine and other
equipment from rodents. Repair leaking roof of huts to give ease and comfort to the project personnel.
Stock Manipulation. This is a scheduled monthly activity of grading the fish stock into different size
groups to reduce the adverse effect of uneven growth and association of size hierarchies within the fish
population. Smaller fish are harvested later when they reach the desired size and weight.
Most cage operators buy tilapia fingerlings of size 22 when high quality fingerlings are now readily
available. These are not directly stocked in grow-out cages; instead, they are reared for about a month in
cages with a mesh size of no. 24. After a month, grade the fingerlings and transfer the bigger ones in
cages with mesh size no. 17. Repeat the process until they are stocked in cages with mesh size no .14
where they are reared up to marketable size. This technique of grading the fish, called modular method,
enables the cage operator to stock and harvest the fish continuously.
Care and Maintenance of Cages. For daily and routine work, check loose twine and torn meshes of the
nets and repair immediately by mending or patching. Remove by brushing bio-fouling organisms such as
freshwater algae, sponges and debris that set on nylon net as soon as they detected. Replace the whole
cage with spare net cage, when may fouling organisms had accumulated obstructing water exchange.
Check the net screen everyday for wear and tear as there might be possible damage that leads to the
escape of the fish stock. Dive occasionally and inspect the condition of nettings and other materials
submerged under water.
Harvesting
Before harvesting, prepare all the materials and equipment needed. Two to three persons can manage
one fish cage.
Untie the top corners of the net and allow the bamboo raft to enter the rectangular area. Two harvesters
lift the net and push the raft toward an end of the cage. Scoop out the confined fish at one end of the
net and place these in pails. Sort according to size. Place sorted fish in transport containers.
Post Harvest Handling and Transporting
The need for proper handling and processing of tilapia is important both for the fishing industry and for
the consumers.
Improvement of the processing and handling of tilapia in terms of quality, product range and volume
results in increased economic activity and employment. It is also one way of stabilizing fish marketing by
providing an outlet for surplus and peak catch even during emergency harvest, thereby ensuring high
fishing activities and stable prices. It can also contribute to the efforts related to nutritional goals.
Handling. The quality of fish depends on how it is handled from the time it is taken out from the water
until it reaches the kitchen. Fish landed is usually subjected to rough handling treatments. Consider these
3 cardinal rules in handling fresh fish:
1. Cleanliness. Observe cleanliness throughout the fish handling chain. Clean the deck, checkboards and
containers thoroughly before the fish haul comes aboard. Clear one haul away before the next ones come
aboard. If you have to leave some fish on deck, move them at one side of the deck so that fresh fish are
not placed on top of these.
2. Care. The fish you are handling is food, treat it as such.
Work on fish as quickly and as promptly as possible.
Sort fish properly before packing
When fish have to wait on deck or on the fish landing for some time before working on these, cover
these to protect them from heat and other elements.
Drain fish before icing
Avoid brushing the fish
Dont throw, trample or kick the fish
3. Cooling. Temperature is the most important single factor affecting the quality of fish.
Use plenty of ice. Put additional layer of ice on top, bottom and side of fish in boxes or shelves
Dont over-fill a box or shelf. The next box or shelf on top will smash the fish below.
 Lay the fish belly downward this prevent entry of dirt water into the fish.
Dont pack fish so tightly that melted ice cannot flow.
Fish is cooled more quickly when ice cold water is poured on them. Fish spoils easily when allowed to
stay in stagnant water, blood or slime. If the vessels is provide with fish room, store fish in ice as quickly
as possible. Make sure the fish room is always kept clean.
Transporting
Fresh fish transported to far distances must be packed with ice to ensure freshness when they reach the
consumers. Proper packing of fresh fish with ice means arranging the fish and ice alternately in the
container to maintain 5C chilling temperature is attained with the ratio of 1 kg of ice to 2 kg of fish.
Fresh fish may be transported in styrofoam boxes, conical tubes (baera) basket (kaing/bayong) and
plastic containers.
The more sophisticated method is the refrigerated truck.
When transporting tilapia within the region, wholesalers pack them in ice. Upon reaching their
destination, fish are repacked with ice and sold to retailers and eventually to consumers.