Mapping, characterization and estimation of the productive potential of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in ground-excavated ponds

The western region of Paraná state, Brazil, has stood out as an important tilapia production center, corresponding to more than 30% of the national production in 2023. The predominant means of production is the intensive production system in ground-excavated ponds. This study aimed to map and characterize fish farming ponds in Assis Chateaubriand by size and water surface area, using remote sensing and geotechnologies tools. The results revealed an increase of 6.9% in the number of ponds and 18.37% in the water surface area between 2018 and 2022. The number of ponds of all sizes increased, but the corresponding surface area of large ponds went from 39.98% to 48.25%, pointing to interest in larger-scale production and commercial characteristics. The results corroborate with official data, which showed the gradual increase in tilapia production in recent years and the possibility of even greater production.