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Nile Perch

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General

Perchids

Perchids (Perciformes)  is by far the largest family of fishes and comprise more than 41% of all vertebrate fish. Perchids occur in either fresh and saltwater areas all over the world. Well-known perchids are seabass, dorado, mahi-mahi and weever.

Nile Perch

With a maximum length of 2 m and a maximum weight of 200 kgthe Nile perch is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. This species has a grey/silver colour with a blue tinge and distinctive dark-black eyes with a bright-yellow outer ring. Nile perch is a predatory fish and can survive in most lakes. In 1962 Nile perch was introduced into Lake Victoria in Africa. This heavily disrupted the entire ecosystem with large social-economic consequences. 

Nile Perch

Lates niloticus
Origin

Africa, inland waters (FAO 1)

Farming- / Catch method

Gillnets, Pelagic longlines

  • Jan
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  • Jul
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  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The Nile perch stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
is at a sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
level. The population is steadily increasing and is currently recovering after a period of significant overfishing.

Pelagic longlinesLonglines (drifting):
A fishing method whereby a long main line (40-100 km long) with transverse lines with hooks with bait is expanded. The line floats on buoys in the water column. 
and gillnetsGillnets:
A fishing technique whereby passing fish get caught in the meshes with their gills. The net stands vertically on the bottom or hangs on buoys in the water column. The by-catch of species such as porpoises and dolphins is a problem related to gillnets.
are not expected to have contact with the lake bottom. By using a larger meshMesh size:
Feature of a trawl: the distance between two wires in a triangle-shaped mesh. The mesh-size determines the size of fish caught in the net. 
size in the gillnet fishery, bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
is also reduced. Mandatory training also takes place under the NaturlandNaturland certification:
The German Naturland is an association of organic farmers who develop standards for organic agriculture and sustainable fishing. Their standards take ecological, social and economic factors into account.
certificate, designed to educate fishermen about sustainable fishing practices. So far, this has had a positive effect, with little impact on the ecosystem. This certification also prohibits the use of native cichlids as live bait.

Fishing gear and catches are well controlled under the NaturlandNaturland certification:
The German Naturland is an association of organic farmers who develop standards for organic agriculture and sustainable fishing. Their standards take ecological, social and economic factors into account.
certificate and managementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
appears effective. Management of this species is largely effective.

Nile Perch

Lates niloticus
Origin

Africa, inland waters (FAO 1)

Farming- / Catch method

Gillnets, Pelagic longlines

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The Nile perch stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
is at a sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
level. The population is steadily increasing and is currently recovering after a period of significant overfishing.

Although fishing for Nile perch with pelagic longlinesLonglines (drifting):
A fishing method whereby a long main line (40-100 km long) with transverse lines with hooks with bait is expanded. The line floats on buoys in the water column. 
and gillnetsGillnets:
A fishing technique whereby passing fish get caught in the meshes with their gills. The net stands vertically on the bottom or hangs on buoys in the water column. The by-catch of species such as porpoises and dolphins is a problem related to gillnets.
is not expected to have significant impacts on various habitats, this fishery causes significant damage to populations of native lake species through bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
. Moreover, endangered cichlid species are regularly used as live bait.

Nile perch is regulated by some management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed.
, but these are not sufficiently effective to prevent illegal activities. In addition, the impact of this fishery on endangered native fish species is not mitigated. The 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 not 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.