The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

The success of a tilapia hatchery, first and foremost, depends on the proper selection of the site. This is especially true for newly planned hatcheries. When selecting a proper site for a tilapia hatchery, the following factors should be considered.

• Ecological factor

1. Water sources: A safe, reliable and pathogen-free water source is vital for tilapia hatcheries. Water sources include rivers, streams, spring, reservoirs, lake, rainwater and boreholes or wells. Open water sources usually are abundant in quantity but the quality (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, present of toxic gases or substances, colour, odour, turbidity, etc.) is difficult to control. Water from open sources must be screened using fine-mesh net, filtered using different filtration methods and disinfected before entering the hatchery. Borehole water, if chosen correctly, has consistently good quality and often pathogen-free but temperature can be high and dissolved oxygen can be low depending on the depth. Borehole water therefore need time and good aeration to lower temperature and to provide dissolved oxygen required for hatchery operations. Water supply for hatcheries and nursing ponds is best via gravity to save power. Otherwise channel or pipes must be use to collect water from sources and direct it to the reservoir for treatment before use. In this case, pumping, which require equipment and power, must be taken into account.
2. Climate: Farms must be located in an area with good climatic conditions for tilapia. The main climatic factor to be considered is temperature. The temperature range for the normal development, reproduction and growth of tilapia is about 24 to 32°C with an optimum range between 28–32°C. In temperate and subtropical regions that are characterized by seasonal fluctuations in water temperatures, the temperature of the hatchery site is of prime importance. The best results for reproduction results are achieved at water temperatures higher than 26°C and the number of fry produced will decrease when daily water temperature averages below 24°C.
3. Land and soil characteristics: Hatchery sites should be on highest ground possible in the area to avoid flooding and allow draining of water by gravity to save power. Soil quality can be important if earthen ponds are to be built and used.

• Economic and social factors

Hatchery operations would be smooth if accessibility and availability of logistics and manpower are planned carefully at the beginning. The following are suggestions of key factors that must be considered.

1. Accessibility: It is an advantage that hatcheries and nurseries are located close to grow-out areas to reduce cost of fry/fingerling transportation and mortality during transport. There is no optimum distance between the hatchery and the grow-out ponds/cages, however it is best that a hatchery locates centrally among the cages/ponds it supply with fry. Equally important is access to all-weather roads for smooth transportation of fry/fingerlings, consumables and equipment.
2. Availability of logistics and manpower: Availability of the following logistics and manpower are important for sustainable operations of tilapia hatcheries:

• • Electricity for all key operations (pumping, aeration, lighting, etc.),
  • Telephone line and cell phone signal for communication,
  • Feed for fish at various size equivalent to fish sizes (starter for fry and fingerling, grow-out for ‘future’ broodstock and broodstock feeds),
  • Equipment, services and supplies needed,
  • Chemical and drugs,
  • Construction materials,
  • Transport vehicles,
  • Staff with sufficient experience,
  • Skilled and semi-skilled labourers,
  • Reasonable amenities for permanent staff.