Tilapia

Nile tilapia, Mozambique tilapia, Blue tilapia, St. Peter’s fish

Izumidai

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.

Asian farmed Tilapia is typically ranked “avoid” with the exception of product produced by Elite Aquaculture in the Xiaojiang Reservoir in the Chinese Province of Guangxi which has a ranking of “some concerns”.

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.

Tilapia are native to Africa and the Middle East, however, their adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions have allowed them to invade a range of non-native habitats. Therefore, the risk for escape in tilapia aquaculture productions with nets, cages, and raceways , as well as unenclosed ponds and tanks is ranked “high”.

Though there are few reports of disease and parasite transfer from tilapia introductions, stocked tilapia can become infected from wild stocks prompting a “moderate” ranking for tilapia culture in nets, cages and raceways for unenclosed ponds and tanks.

Integrated farms in the US ranks as a “low” conservation concern, as effluent is used for agriculture rather than being released into natural water bodies, however, internationally, a lack of demonstrated effectiveness of effluent control warrants caution and a rating of “moderate” risk for tilapia. The risk of pollution is likewise moderate for semi-intense and intensive operations that are closed to the environment. There is growing concern for pollution in China and Central America where rapid development of intensive cage culture continues.

The management of aquaculture production in Asian countries appears to be ineffective.

Where was this tilapia farmed?

Contaminant levels do not warrant a consumption advisory.

No.