The Southern Mullet (Chelon richardsonii) as a Potential Candidate Species for Aquaculture in the Southern African Region

This study investigated the potential of the southern mullet (Chelon richardsonii) as an aquaculture candidate. The southern mullet lives in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments. It is a low-trophic level species with a diet primarily comprised of detritus and plankton. The species is also a target species of a small-scale fishery off Namibia. The fish’s biology makes it an ideal aquaculture candidate that can contribute to food security. This species has the possibility to be cultured with other fish species and feed on leftover feed as well as wastes acting. Moreover, it can be cultured in single-culture conditions. The culturing of this species will reduce pressure on wild stocks in both Namibia and South Africa, in which the latter is reported to be regionally overexploited. However, more biological studies will be needed to identify a specific method that can be used to culture the southern mullet optimally. Economic feasibility studies will also be required to address issues related to mass production, markets, and profitability.