By George Henry, Gleaner WriterSPALDINGS, Clarendon:
IN 1986, Joan Murray and her family began rearing fresh water fish in three ponds in Clarendon Park, Clarendon and since then, despite challenges, they have stuck to the task.
At present they own 24 ponds and operate the 'Murray's Fish Farm' situated on over 50 acres of land, and a stafff of eight persons.
Mrs. Murray told Farmers Weekly that her family has been very fortunate to have sustained the business over the years. A milestone that was partly attributed to location, she said.
"It's not a depressed area. Everyone has a piece of land that they farm on for themselves," she said, adding that this minimises praedial larceny.
However, she is plagued by the expenses incurred in refilling the ponds which require replenishing approximately every two weeks. Additionally, she said that fish feeds were quite expensive.
The feed, is imported and is affected by changes in the value of the United States dollar.
According to Mrs. Murray, within the last three months, the price for the fish feed has increased by more than 20 per cent, with one tonne now costing just over JA $19,000.
Notwithstanding this, she said that actual production cost at the farm had been significantly contained since it began producing its own fingerlings (baby fish) Tilapia.
The stages between fingerlings and mature fish last about eight months according to her.
