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Tilapia

Quality mark Cultivation
/Keurmerk Wild
Green
Second choice
Avoid
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General

Tilapia

Tilapia is a common name for many species of tropical freshwater fish from the cichlid family. The size differs per species, with an average of 45 cm and 2.5 kg. While they can survive both fresh and brackish water, they are commonly found in fresh water. They live originally in Africa, but are introduced in other continents. Most tilapia in the Netherlands is farmed. The fish is easy to grow, it doesn’t need high waterquality, but a water temperature above 18 degrees is important. In tropical countries tilapia is an important sources of proteins.

Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus
Origin

Worldwide

Farming- / Catch method

Pond systems (aquaculture), Cages (aquaculture)

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Explanation assessment

Tilapia has been available with the ASCASC:
Aquaculture Stewardship Council, a worldwide eco-label for responsible cultivated fish.
-label since 2012. Due to significant developments around the feed, under the standard of this label, “only” 0.8 kilograms of wild fish is needed to grow 1 kilogram of tilapia. Efforts are also being made to make the ingredients of the feed more sustainable.

Besides the feed, the creation of the tilapia ASC standard is unique thanks to the dialogue between the many stakeholders. As a result, the standard is both progressive and realistic, addressing key negative impacts of fish farming. ASC-certified tilapia are farmed in pondsPonds:
A cultivation technique whereby fish is cultivated in ponds. This happens extensively (without additional feed) and intensive (with additional feed supplements).  
or 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.
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Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus
Origin

Worldwide

Farming- / Catch method

All aquaculture methods

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Source usage
Impact on the environment
Management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Tilapia 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.

Tilapia farming 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 breeding to control diseases and parasites. In addition, tilapia welfare is not held in high regard, including during slaughter.

The legal framework for aquaculture in tilapia farming countries is not effective enough to address most social and environmental issues. 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 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.

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