Estimated Costs and Returns for Commercial Cage Production of Fingerlings and Table-Size Mullet (Mugil cephalus) in Dakhlia Governorate, Egypt.
Field data for commercial mullet cage culture inside Manzala Lake in Dakhlia Governorate were used in this study. Forty one cage owner and operators were interviewed. Mullet cages culture identified into three production stages fingerlings, juvenile and table-size mullet. The three stages were applied in two volumes, small (300m3) and large (600m3).
The questionnaire gathered quantitative data on capital costs, operational costs, mullet yield and sales prices, for the different mullet cages types and volumes. Costs, returns, and performance indicator of this activity were estimated through budgeting procedure. Effects of cage volume in different growth stages on the economics of the culture system were explored. Sensitivity analyses with respect to changes in output price and production level were performed.
Results indicated the economic viability of the fingerlings and table-size systems. Cage volume had positive effects on the economic performance of mullet cage culture in Manzala Lake. Cage culture operators in Manzala uses extruded fish feed for feeding their stock in cages to minimize the impact of mullet cage on the environment. The study revealed that growing mullet in large size volume cage is economically viable and sustain moderate financial shock.
Keywords: Mullet, cage, Manzala, aquaculture, Egypt.