National Aquaculture Sector Overview (NASO)
Lebanese National Report
Prepared By
Ibrahim Al-Hawi
Anjar Center for Aquaculture - Ministry of Agriculture
June, 2005
1. Characteristics, Structure and Resources of the Sector
· Summary
Fresh water aquaculture has been practiced since the 30s (El-Zein, 1997). More than 90% of aquaculture production in Lebanon is rainbow trout, Onchorhyncus mykiss and are grown under Semi intensive growing was introduced to Lebanon in the 1958
There are about 150 farms or holdings. Main areas of aquaculture are 4 main region of the country spread in Bekaa mohafazat and Akkar District of Northern Lebanon and south of Lebanon. Tilapia farming is recently tried out by private initiatives.
In the 1960 Anjar center for aquaculture was established by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in Bekaa area to develop this sector. The center started as a hatchery service that produced rainbow trout fingerlings and distributed them free of charge to growers to encourage intensive and semi intensive growing of the species.
Marine aquaculture is absent except of one shrimp farm initiatives by a private investor in the northern of Lebanon. Oceanogrphic institute pertaining to MOA is undertaking pilot production of marine species.
Total fish production is in the order of 4000 ton of which is 600 tons of trout. Local production covers 27% of the domestic consumption. Lebanon imports a total of
the total amount of imported fish, whether live, fresh or frozen (including crustaceans and molluscs) amounts to 14000 tons at a value of US $35.6 million).
Aquaculture development is vested within MOA under the directorate of rural development and National resources.
Research is undertaken by different private and public bodies but still research in this sector is shy and not coordinated.
In this sector Lebanon is producing below its potential.
This report provides an overview on this sector in Lebanon. It is to be noted that data and figures are based on estimate and different work of different individual initiatives within different related institution. Funds and human resources are needed to develop a comprehensive accurate statistics and data on the sector.
1.1 History and general overview
Fresh water aquaculture has been practiced since the 30s (El-Zein, 1997). Semi intensive growing was introduced to Lebanon in the 1958.
More than 90% of aquaculture production in Lebanon is rainbow trout, Onchorhyncus mykiss. Some Salmo trutta fario is also being tried, tilapia and some carps. Trout production was further boosted and developed in early sixties due to MOA that established Anjar Center for aquaculture in Bekaa area to be the first hatchery cente in the neighbouring countries.
The center started as a hatchery service that produced rainbow trout fingerlings and distributed them free of charge to growers to encourage intensive and semi intensive growing of the species.
The oldest farm was created in 1965 in Hermel area. However, most of the farms (about 41%) sprouted during the years 1985-1990 (Annex 8) mainly in Anjar and Hermel areas and few in Zahle. About 11% were established in the period 1991-1994 and 2% followed in the period 1995-1997. After the year 1997, 90 additional farm was established. The industry now accounts for 100 farms mainly distributed in Bekaa area along Assi river with some smaller ones along the northern coast. On the other hand, the development of support infrastructure such as feed mills did not follow the trend.
The production system used is mostly of the semi intensified one. The average annual production of trout is around 600 tonnes (by 150 farms of which 80% are in Hermel-North Bekaa ) at a total value of 2 US $ million at an estimated average yield of 10- 12 tons (at approximately 1.5 Kg/l/min).
Marine aquaculture is almost absent. However, a new farm in Akkar area of Northern Lebanon for shrimp production has emerged very recently.
Total fish production contributes with less than 27% of local consumption. Aquaculture contributes about 10 % of local production and 3% of local fish consumption.
1.2 Human resources
There are about 150 farms or holdings. Most of the farmers own their raceways or ponds. Average age of the growers is 40 with an intermediate educational level. It is in most cases a family business. Most hire a full time labourer to take care of daily farming activities of the farm.
Main raisers of Bekaa are organized into 4 main groups aquaculture and fish marketing cooperative of Oyoun Urgush in Baalbeck, aquaculture and fish marketing cooperative of Anjar, and 2 Aquaculture and Fish marketing cooperative of Assi Basin in Hermel.
Also there are restaurants owners (30) who invest in their enterprise and depend on it for their living.
1.3 Farming systems distribution and characteristics
Lebanon has 15 permanent short flowing rivers. Only Nahr Il-Kabir of the south is a relatively long one (58 km). 3 flowing rivers (Assi 46 km, Litani 160 km, and Hasbani 21 km) are in the interior planes limited by Mount Lebanon from west side and by Anti-Lebanon at the east side (Annex 1). Accordingly, there are 5 hydrographic regions where aquaculture is practiced (see table 1 below).
Region / Name / Location/districtI / Watershed of Assi / Bekaa / Bekaa
II / Coastal sides of north / North/North-Lebanon
III / Watershed of Litani / Bekaa, South-Lebanon
IV / Coastal sides of central Lebanon and south / Central Lebanon /Mount- Lebanon & south/Nabatieh
V / Watershed of Hasbani / South / Nabatieh
There is around 150 salmon culture station or farm in Lebanon. These farms can be regrouped into 4 different regions by virtue of same water source (Annex 1 and 5). These farms are concentrated in 4 areas of Bekaa; Zahle –Qaa El-Rim (in Zahle casa), Anjar (in western Bekaa casa), Yammouneh (in Baalbeck casa), and Hermel (in Hermel casa). The rest are scattered in Bekaa mainly in Baalbeck, West Bekaa and North-Lebanon in different hydrolyic isolated points. The average annual production is of 600 tonnes (Rainbow trout).
A study conducted by El-zein in 1997 over 60 farms the following was noticed that:
- 17 farms are present to the eastern of Mount chain
- 2 farms are to the western side of the mountain chains
- 2 farms to the western side of Anti-Lebanon chains
- 39 farms are in the plain
Looking at the Zones we find that (Annex 1 and 5):
- Farms of Zones A (Zahle) and C (Yammoune) are approximately within the same altitude and are to the East side of Mount-Lebanon.
- Farms of Zone B (Anjar) are present in the plains and fed by Anjar and Chamsine springs.
- Farms of Zone D (Hermel) are along the Assi river .
- Farms of Zone E are at different point with isolated and less important water sources.
Farm size (Annex 2 ):
- Most of the farms are artisan family businesses;
- Most of the farms are small – medium sized farms;
- 47 % of the farms are small sized (surface area is < 500m2), of which the smallest is of 112 m2 and present in Zone D of Hermel;
- 38 % of the farms are of medium size (501 – 1500 m2);
- 15% are of large size (> 1500 m2) where the largest is of 3900 m2 present in Zone C (Anjar).
Over a sample of 26 Rainbow trout farm the following was observed (Al-Zein, 1997):
- 22 farm produce less than 10 tonnes
- 4 farms produced more than 15 tonnes
- The range of production varies between 1.5-50 tonnes.
- Several growers have tried to practice the artificial insemination but no successful results were given because they could not apply the recommended standards or norms.
Over a sample of 35 surveyed farm (Darwish et Malti, 1994)
- There are 20 farms that practice fingerling production and fattening. The incubator used is a traditional one. They are floating and mobile metallic net with wooden frame over the water. The incubation ponds are fed continuously with fresh water with a cemented floor. These ponds serve for both incubation and production purposes. Room lighting is assured with windows that are in a way to prevent direct sunlight on the eggs.
- Besides MOA center for Aquaculture (in Anjar) only two farms imports eggs from several countries (Denmark, Germany, Italie and others.) These farms usually deal with intermediaries such as private agricultural enterprises for importing the eggs.
Pysico-chemical characteristics of the water:
In Bekaa area water environment presents very favourable conditions for trout growing. The PH (7-8.2), water flow and temperature (8-17C) are favourable.
1.4 Cultured species (fish, molluscs, crustaceans, plants)
The Fauna and Flora of fresh water account for 987 species (Al-Zein, 1997). There are 25 fish species pertaining to 9 different families: Cyprinidae, Cyprinodontidae, Cobitidae, Salmonidae, Anguillidae, Cichlidae, Mugilidae, Puciliidae, Blenniidae, Lutjanidea.
In addition 10 species were introduced: Salmo gaidneri and Salmo trutta fario (Al Zein, 1997) Salvelinus fontinalis, Cyprinus carpio, Gambusia affinis,
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Rhopilema nomadica, Scomberomorus commerson, and Sphyraena obtusata (Annex 4 DIAS, 2005).
Some were just diffused from other countries like the Red Sea (Rhopilema nomadica, Scomberomorus commerson ), others were for sports purposes in addition to aquaculture reasons (Salvelinus fontinalis). Other species were introduced for control of different pest like snails (Gambusia affinis holbrooki) and mosquitoes (Cyprinus carpio), and weed (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix).
A. Fresh Water Aquaculture
Trout Species:
· Common/Lake Trout: Salmo trutto fario:
Was identified in Lebanon in 1930 as indigenous to River A’asi (North Bekaa). It was introduced to other areas as of 1962. Currently it is practically extinct due to illegal fishing. It can tolerate water temperature up to 20°C. It can reach a length of 30-60cm and a weight of 2-8kg. A record of 35kg (³30 years old) fish was observed.
· Rainbow Trout: Oncorhynchus mykiss was introduced to Lebanon in 1958. Lebanon introduced this species to Syria in the late 60th. It is characterized by fast growth rate. It was observed to grow up to 2 kg/year in natural water bodies. This is the species employed in aquaculture in Lebanon.
· Water requirement: Trout is raised in areas where a constant supply of high quality water is available year round. Most trout farms and hatcheries use springs, wells, or streams as the source of their water. Production of food-sized fish requires the largest volumes of water. Water flows of at least 2-8 cu.m/minute are needed depending on the operation size.
- Egg Hatching: 0.5 l/1000 eggs
- Fries up to 1 month: 1 l/1000 eggs
- Increase water flow by 1 l monthly till 12 l/1000 at age of 12 months
· Water Quality: In addition to abundant quantity, high quality water is essential for a commercial trout hatchery. Dissolved oxygen, temperature, suspended solids, dissolved gasses, pH, mineral content, hardness, and alkalinity of the water are key for trout production . Lebanese waters are predominantly calcareous and suitable for trout.
· Water temperature: is usually the most critical water quality factor. Temperature affects survival, growth and egg production (Table 2). Trout hatcheries should have an adequate supply of high quality water that ranges from about 7-18°C or else growth will be slowed. It was observed in Lebanon that the optimum temperature for commercial production to be 11-16°C with a maximum of 20°C if high O2 level
· Oxygen Content: Since trout require high levels of oxygen, the oxygen content of the water supply must be high. Oxygen levels should never fall below 5 parts per million (ppm) in the hatchery effluent. In general, dissolved oxygen concentrations of incoming water should be above 90% saturation. Oxygen concentration of 6 - 9 mg/l is required. Proper aeration of the incoming water and control of numbers of fish raised in the rearing system can be used to overcome low oxygen problems. Small water falls (10cm high) proved feasible in Lebanon.
Tilapia Species:
· The second most cultured fish in Lebanon today is tilapia. There are three farms that grow tilapia commercially. One is practicing intensive production.
· Tilapia (T. nilotica) was introduced into Lebanon in 1965. It was bred locally and distributed to small scale farmers, backyard growers (50 m2 ponds) and introduced to coastal rivers. It was successful where introduced and became abundant in the Qasmeih River (South Lebanon). It became extinct as of 1975. The MOA put for bidding, in the year 2000, the construction of a Tilapia and other warm freshwater fishes Hatchery and growout facility.The private sector was faster than the government to establish the first commercial hatchery and grow out farm. A small farm (Hadath Fish Farm) was established nearby the MOA’s site. Recirculation, biofilters, UV disinfectants, and greenhouses are among the new technologies, to Lebanon, to be introduced. These are already employed at Hadath Farm (annex 9).
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· One of the biggest challenges facing Tilapia farming in Lebanon is the cold climate and sub-optimal water temperatures. Tilapia’s are tropical species and grow poorly when water temperatures drop below 25°C. The Hadath Tilapia Farm is claimed to recycle over 98% of it’s water so as to maintain ‘high-residence-times’ allowing ‘free’ solar energy to heat the tank water inside a plastic greenhouse tunnel (the kind used for crop production in Lebanon). The technology is called the IFF "ONE TANK" Fish Farming System and is entirely air driven using one (plus coupled standby) low pressure centrifugal fan running at 7000 Pa's to drive one or more RBC's (Rotating Biological Contactor) for ammonia conversion, specially designed air lift aerators (in-tank water circulation and aeration) and airlift-pods (low head water pumps) used to pull water though a centrally located water reconditioning system.
Other species:
Some common carp, bighead carp, silver carp, grass carp and leather carp are being grown in some of the trout farms. Sales are low and mainly to Syria. some also raises catfish, Clarias sp. in some ponds.
B. Marine Aquaculture
As for the marine ecosystem there are around 1685 species. There is only one saltwater aquaculture facility in Lebanon. It is a penaeid shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farm in the northern town of Abboudiyeh.