Currently stationed in Cape Town, the 33-year old production scientist runs a tight ship in the directorate Aquaculture Research in the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. He also obtained his PhD in animal science at the NWU last year.

 

Farming fish sustainably

 

With Prof Victor Mlambo, formerly of the NWU’s campus in Mahikeng as promoter, Molatelo’s doctorate was about the effect of dietary additives on, among others, the growth of the South African dusky kob.

 

Fishmeal, made of fish such as sardines, anchovies and mackerels, is mainly used to feed farmed fish. Molatelo says using ocean resources in such a way is not sustainable. He believes fish farmers should incorporate other feed sources such as plant proteins and even seaweed.

 

Catch of the day

 

One of the many benefits of fish farming is that it decreases man’s impact on the ocean while keeping hunger at bay.“Fish is a valuable and affordable source of protein. Aquaculture has the potential to provide that protein along with essential fatty acid, thereby contributing towards food security,” he says.

Molatelo plans to collaborate more with international researchers. “I have already started collaborating with a PhD student at the James Cook University in Australia for research on black tiger prawns.”

 

“I wish the NWU could incorporate an aquaculture course in their future curriculums as the Food and Agriculture Organization (*FAO) of the United Nations indicated that aquaculture is the fastest growing farming sector in the world,” he concludes.

 

*The FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger.