Parasitic fish diseases and their impact on potential fish production in East Africa

Protein deficient diets are a standard way of life in many parts of East Africa;this of course tends to result in shorter life expectancy and chronic ill-health. Population increase is sufficiently high to outdistance the economic gains that may be made in various fields. With recurrent shortages of basic commodities not only in East Africa, but in many parts of the world, it is becoming increasingly clear that agricultural production practices must be maximised rapidly in order to meet the world's constantly expanding need for food. Here in East Africa, while our food requirements can be met most of the time, our protein requirements are far from being met. Yields from traditional fishery resources, must therefore be increased. The farming of fish (aquaculture)adds a new dimension to food production in general and high quality protein production in particular, in that it can be incorporated into other agricultural production activities.