By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) is diving into a groundbreaking initiative to use fish as a natural weapon against malaria.
Through its Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department (FARD), the ministry has launched an innovative research project aimed at using tilapia fish to help manage mosquito populations in malaria-prone areas.
The research, which kicked off in September 2024 at the Henderson Fisheries Unit in Mazowe, is exploring the common tilapia fish as a biological tool to reduce Malaria transmission.
Lorraine Salimu, a Fisheries and Aquaculture Expert at FARD, shared insights into the project at the recent National Stakeholders’ Consultation and Validation Workshop for the National Blue Economy Strategy in Siavonga, Zambia.
“We timed the start of this research to match the production season and peak mosquito breeding periods,” Salimu explained.
“We have set up six research ponds specifically for this purpose, and the tilapia are currently acclimating to their new environment.”
Tilapia was selected for its diet, which includes mosquito larvae, making it a promising candidate for mosquito control.
According to Salimu, expanding tilapia farming not only offers a solution to stagnant water-associated mosquito breeding but also supports food security, income generation, and improved nutrition in local communities.
Preliminary research suggests that a single Nile tilapia can consume up to 111 mosquito larvae in just 24 hours. However, further research is required to assess the long-term effectiveness of this approach for malaria control and its potential integration into Zimbabwe’s public health strategies.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended biological control measures like introducing larvivorous fish in ponds and water sources near human populations to help curb the spread of malaria. Similar programs, backed by The Global Fund, have been deployed worldwide, and as efforts to eradicate malaria continue, Zimbabwe’s approach could be a blueprint for other nations.
Globally, fish species such as mosquitofish have been tested and proven effective in places like Australia, where they’re used as biocontrol agents to limit mosquito numbers.
Zimbabwe’s experiment with tilapia offers a fresh approach to the fight against malaria and might set a new standard for eco-friendly mosquito management in public health.
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