Catfish Processing. Karoo Catch Factory Opens

For years the catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) – a blind, air breathing mud dweller covered in a mucus layer – has been identified as a potential nutritious, edible and an alternative solution to dwindling wild caught fish stock. Known to be hardy and have a low mortality rate, there have been several unsuccessful attempts to grow catfish in aquaculture facilities around the country. The Karoo’s warm climate seems to be conducive for growth and this is now translating into the production of food.

Karoo-Catch, the marketing and production arm of the Camdeboo Satellite Aquaculture Project outside Graaf Reinet in the Eastern Cape, has in the last few months put catfish products into some food stores, and by all accounts they are being well received.