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Striped catfish

Quality mark Cultivation
/Keurmerk Wild
Green
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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.

Striped catfish

Striped catfish is a freshwater fish that can reach up to 2 m in length. This species is originally from Vietnam and is farmed in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and Thailand. From the latter part of the 90’s the production has skyrocketed and nowadays it is one of most consumed fish species in the Netherlands. It is sometimes wrongly sold as a species of sole e.g. “Asian sole”.

Striped catfish

Pangasius hypophthalmus
Origin

Asia (FAO 4)

Farming- / Catch method

Pond systems (aquaculture)

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Explanation assessment

ASCASC:
Aquaculture Stewardship Council, a worldwide eco-label for responsible cultivated fish.
-certified striped catfish has been available on the market for a number of years. Under ASC certification, farms are given a number of years to make their fish feed more sustainable, which is ultimately going to make a huge difference to the sustainability of this farming.

Besides the feed, the creation of the striped catfish ASC standards is unique thanks to the dialogue between the many stakeholders. This leads to the standard being both progressive and realistic, addressing the main negative impacts of fish farming. ASC-certified striped catfish is farmed in pondsPonds:
A cultivation technique whereby fish is cultivated in ponds. This happens extensively (without additional feed) and intensive (with additional feed supplements). 
.

Striped catfish

Pangasius hypophthalmus
Origin

Asia (FAO 4)

Farming- / Catch method

Pond systems (aquaculture)

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  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
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  • Dec
Source usage
Impact on the environment
Management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Striped catfish can be farmed with low amounts 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. However, the ingredients used in fish feed are not always traceable.

Farming striped catfish in pondsPonds:
A cultivation technique whereby fish is cultivated in ponds. This happens extensively (without additional feed) and intensive (with additional feed supplements). 
can lead to high pollution due to the amount of residual and waste production that ends up in the culture water and environment. In addition, 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.
are also known to occur regularly. It seems that various chemicals are used during farming to control diseases and parasites.

The legal framework for aquaculture in the countries where striped catfish is farmed is not effective enough to address most social and environmental issues. 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 partially effective.

Striped catfish

Pangasius hypophthalmus
Origin

Asia (FAO 4)

Farming- / Catch method

Cages (aquaculture)

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  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Source usage
Impact on the environment
Management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Striped catfish can be farmed with low amounts 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. However, the ingredients used in fish feed are not always traceable.

Farming striped catfish in cagesCages:
A cultivation technique with open cages in the sea, lake or river. They are anchored to the bottom and are standing in places sheltered for storm and high waves. Most salmon is grown in this type of culture system. Because the cages are in open connection with the surrounding water, the impact on the environment is high.
leads to high pollution due to the amount of residual and waste production that ends up in the culture water and environment. In addition, 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.
are also known to occur regularly. It seems that various chemicals are used during farming to control diseases and parasites. In addition, fish welfare is not held in high regard, including during slaughter.

The legal framework for aquaculture in the countries where striped catfish is farmed is not effective enough to address most social and environmental issues. 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 partially 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.