Marid Tadesse Haile
Biography
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Post-Harvest Expert – Muka Turi Agricultural Office Bureau, Oromia Region, North Shewa Zone (2013-2014)
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Assistant Researcher (Food Science & Postharvest Technology) – Bonga Research Center, South Agricultural Research Institute (1.5 years)
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Lecturer (Agro-Processing Technology) – Technical and Vocational Training Institute, Holeta Satellite Campus (4 years)
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Lecturer – Federal Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institute (FTVETI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 2018 – Present)
Research Interest
Food Safety and Nutrition of Poultry Products, Agro-Processing Technology, Food Science
Abstract
Ecosystem-Based Approaches for Sustainable Freshwater Aquaculture in Ethiopia
Aquaculture is increasingly vital for meeting Ethiopia's growing demand for protein and diversifying food sources, but its expansion presents ecological risks to fragile freshwater ecosystems. This study investigates ecosystem-based aquaculture practices aimed at minimizing environmental impact while ensuring economic viability in the Ethiopian context, focusing on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) utilizing locally available resources, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) adapted for rural settings, and the potential of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. We assessed the impact of these strategies on biodiversity (specifically native fish and amphibian populations), water quality (focusing on dissolved oxygen and nutrient runoff), and critical wetland habitats within the Lake Tana region and other key aquaculture areas. Results from a field study in the Lake Tana basin demonstrate that integrating Nile tilapia with native catfish and duckweed in an IMTA system can reduce nutrient runoff by up to 30% compared to traditional monoculture tilapia farms, and that constructed wetlands effectively remove nitrogen and phosphorus from aquaculture effluent, supporting increased macrophyte diversity. These findings underscore the importance of integrated watershed management and highlight the need for targeted policy interventions (such as subsidized access to RAS technology for smallholder farmers) and affordable technological innovations (such as locally manufactured biofilters and solar-powered aeration systems) to promote the long-term ecological and economic sustainability of Ethiopian freshwater aquaculture. This research contributes to the development of sustainable aquaculture practices that support both food security and the conservation of Ethiopia's unique freshwater ecosystems.
