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African sharptooth catfish

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General

Catfish

To the family of catfish (Siluriformes) belong 1727 different species. They are called catfish due to their distinctive feelers. Catfish can weight over 100 kilograms, however, most species are significantly smaller. Catfish possess the organ of Weber which is a small set of bones that are connected to the swimbladder and transmit vibrations.

Catfish are commercially very important and are either farmed or wild-caught. Well-known species are pangasius and the African sharp tooth catfish.

African sharptooth catfish

This catfish can be found in lakes, rivers, and swamps in Africa and the Middle East. It has an elongated, dark coloured body that can reach up to 1.70 m and weigh as much as 60 kg. The African catfish is not a very demanding species in terms of water quality. This makes it is a very popular fish to farm; the fish has already been used for aquaculture practices since the 80s.

African sharptooth catfish

Clarias gariepinus

Origin

Europe (FAO 5)

Farming- / Catch method

Recirculation system (aquaculture)

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Source usage

Impact on the environment

Management

Final assessment

Explanation assessment

Farmed catfish rely on external feed, but the intake of fish mealfish meal:
Fishmeal is, together with fishoil, a very important ingredient used in fishfeed for aquaculture production. Fishmeal is derived from wild-caught fish which are often not caught sustainably. and fish oilfish oil:
Fishoil is, together with fishmeal, a very important ingredient used in fishfeed for aquaculture production. Fishoil is derived from wild-caught fish which are often not caught sustainably. in the feed is relatively low. The major feed manufacturers have good documentation and there is good traceability around feed ingredients.

Due to the closed nature of recirculationRecirculation systems:
An environmentally friendly cultivating system completely locked from the natural environment, wastewater is purified and re-used and the system is well controlled. systems, issues of escapesEscapes:
It may happen that farmed animals escape during the farming process, for example when farming at sea or in rivers. This can lead to genetic mixing between the farmed animals and wild populations and can have negative effects on the growth and fertility of wild animals. and disease transfer are not an issue. While the environmental impact of this production method is minimal, these systems do have large energy demands.

The legal framework for aquaculture in Europe is strong and most environmental and social issues are addressed. ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. of this species is largely effective.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.