Tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus niloticus
What to check for
Location
All areas
Production method
Open net pen, freshwater
Rating summary
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.
References
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