The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified farmed tilapia are a Good Choice. Farms meeting the ASC standard need to comply with a wide range of criteria for environmentally responsible aquaculture. Farms must ensure feed sources are disclosed and don’t risk vulnerable species. Environmental impacts are limited through controlled use of chemicals including antibiotics, measures to limit escapes from farms, monitoring of nutrient and effluent build up around farms and recent prohibition of conversion of wetlands to aquaculture. There are also measures to manage fish health and welfare on farms. There are, however, some concerns that the certification criteria and management do not minimize the risk of parasites to wild species or consider the cumulative impacts of farms more widely.This rating is based on full compliance with certification requirements. Commercial buyers should therefore ensure that full compliance has been achieved in order for this rating to be applicable.Rating last updated December 2024.

Farmed tilapia in China are an OK choice but a number of improvements are needed. The sourcing of tilapia feed is of concern although fish oil and meal make up a limited part of tilapia diet in China. The large feed quantities needed for Chinese aquaculture overall is evidently putting pressure on vulnerable fish and juvenile stocks. There is also no information about how sustainable other feedstuffs, including soy products, are. There are concerns regarding the environmental impacts as data is not available for assessment. Of biggest concern is the over use and unauthorized use of antibiotics in the area causing antibiotic resistance. Escapes from farms have also resulted in established populations of this non-native species in the wild. Although regulations are in place to manage tilapia farming in China it is not clear how well this is enforced and implemented and animal welfare does not feature in national legislation. This assessment is for uncertified production.Rating last updated May 2022.