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Tilapia
U.S.
Farmed
See
Report in PDF |
 Credit/ US Fish and Wildlife Service/Duane Raver
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| SPECIES |
Tilapia |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME |
Oreochromis spp., Sarotherodon spp., Tilapia spp. |
| MARKET NAMES |
Nile tilapia, Mozambique tilapia, Blue tilapia, St. Peter’s fish |
| SUSHI NAMES |
Izumidai |
| DESCRIPTION |
Various estimates of the amount of fish protein in, to fish protein out for farmed Tilapia are less than 1:1 in nearly all cases. This indicates that tilapia culture results in a net gain of edible fish protein. Due to their high reproductive capacity and the ability to establish self-reproducing populations in a variety of habitats, however, risk of escapes to wild stocks are a moderate to high conservation concern, in all regions. In the US, management is deemed highly effective; effluent and risk of disease and parasite transfer are minimized, whereas farming in Central America and Asia is deemed to have moderate to high concerns in these categories.
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Sustainability
Profile
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| Concern |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
Critical |
| Use of marine resources |
x |
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| Risk of escapes to wild stocks |
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x |
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| Risk of disease and parasite transfer to wild stocks |
x |
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| Risk of pollution and habitat effects |
x |
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| Effectiveness of the management regime |
x |
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| USE OF MARINE RESOURCES |
Various estimates of the amount of fish protein in, to fish protein out for farmed Tilapia are less than 1:1 in nearly all cases. This indicates that tilapia culture results in a net gain of edible fish protein.
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| RISK OF ESCAPES TO WILD STOCKS |
Tilapia readily invades and reproduces in warm waters where they are introduced. Non-native tilapia populations have been found to compete with, supplant, or “devastate” wild cichlids and other native species. Escapees are expected in open systems (nets, cages, and flow through raceways), meriting concerns. Even relatively closed systems (ponds, recirculating tanks), are still compromised by storm events.
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| RISK OF DISEASE AND PARASITE TRANSFER TO WILD STOCKS |
There are few reports of disease and parasite transfer from tilapia introductions. Where they exist, organically certified tilapia farms are required to focus on preventing outbreaks by maintaining natural environments and behaviours, and infections are treated promptly.
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| RISK OF POLLUTION AND HABITAT EFFECTS |
Effluent water from US based Tilapia aquaculture operations is typically used for agriculture rather than being released into natural water bodies.
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| EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MANAGEMENT REGIME |
The US has recently implemented national effluent limitation guidelines and Best Management Practise plans for aquaculture, and the US management regime is effectively enforced.
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| IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK |
Where was this tilapia farmed?
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HEALTH RISKS
View consumption advisories |
Contaminant levels do not warrant a consumption advisory.
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MSC CERTIFIED
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No.
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