Assessment of the Level Development of Fish Farming in San Pedro, Côte d’ivoire
N. B. Kimou *
Department of Oceanography and Marine Resources Marines, UFR Marine Sciences, University of San pedro, 01 Bp 1800 San pedro 01, Côte d’Ivoire.
R. S. Assi
Department of Oceanography and Marine Resources Marines, UFR Marine Sciences, University of San pedro, 01 Bp 1800 San pedro 01, Côte d’Ivoire.
V. E. Akesse
Department of Oceanography and Marine Resources Marines, UFR Marine Sciences, University of San pedro, 01 Bp 1800 San pedro 01, Côte d’Ivoire.
C. B. Atse
Aquaculture Department, Oceanological Research Center, 22 BP 786 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
I. N. Ouattara
Hydrobiology laboratory, UFR biosciences, University Felix Houphouët Boigny of Abidjan, 04 Bp 322 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The development of fish farming in the San Pedro region of Côte d’Ivoire was assessed through a descriptive survey conducted between March and May 2026. The study aimed to evaluate the current level of aquaculture development by analysing farm characteristics, production systems, cultured species, feeding practices and the socio-economic profiles of stakeholders. Data were collected from 11 active fish farms through structured interviews with farm managers and direct field observations. The results showed that fish farming in the region is relatively recent, with more than 70% of farms established within the last five years. The production systems were predominantly semi-intensive (81.8%), followed by intensive systems (18.2%). Earthen ponds were the most commonly used production structures (81.1%), whereas metal tanks (18.1%) and concrete tanks (9.1%) were less frequent. Water for aquaculture systems was mainly derived from dams (45.5%), followed by diversion streams (27.27%), boreholes (27.27%) and groundwater (9.1%). The socio-economic analysis revealed that farm owners and managers were mostly male and relatively young, with many managers having at least primary or secondary education. However, technical supervision remained limited on most farms. Oreochromis niloticus was the dominant cultured species, either in monoculture or in polyculture systems with catfish species. Feeding practices were largely based on industrial feed. Overall, fish farming in San Pedro is emerging but remains constrained by limited technical supervision, farm diversification and infrastructure.
Keywords: Fish farming, aquaculture development, San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire, semi-intensive system, earthen ponds, Oreochromis niloticus, fish feed, farm characteristics, technical supervision