Tilapia: Miracle Fish (Part 1)
Thank you very informative article.
Thank you, Prakash and Daniel. I believe tilapia is the best whitefish species to supplement cod, haddock, hake, hoki, etc but its a must that we achieve both sustainable intensification, improved meat quality and improved food safety all simultaneously...poor quality pond farmed tilapia is not going to cut it. International and discerning local markets will need to be assured of food safety - non-use of hormones, antibiotics and chemicals and the use of good quality water and the sustainable use of resources (land, water, energy, feed etc). Tilapia farmers must excel at marketing a low mercury whitefish produced to the highest standards if we want to capitalize on global markets - price pressure on global whitefish will act in the favor of tilapia producers. We should not aim too low on these issues since the technologies available today such as Biofloc Technology (BFT) and the filter-feeding mechanisms of tilapia give the industry a clear advantage over other competing whitefish species such as pangasius. It's time to rise up to the challenge.
Hi, Richard
Thanks for your comments above. You are absolutely right. Consumers need to know where the tilapia they may be interested to buy originate from. Traceability, certifications and branding will become mandatory to elevate the status of tilapia to a healthy and wholesome species choice and one that consumers would trust from a food safety perspective. Unidentified frying objects will not assist in the development of more discerning markets for tilapia which literally holds the potential to bridge the coming global fish Supply-Demand gap predicted to hit 50MMT by 2030. As tilapia farmers and producers we need to up our game to capture consumer trust and the market potential on a local, regional and a global scale.
Best, Ramon,
PRICHEMIN MIX
Madhab Bahadur Pantha Sir, I cultured tilapia for my research purpose in my home in large cement tanks. After the purpose, I left it. One day I purchased some aquarium fish and kept in the same tank being thought that the very next day it can be transferred to my aquarium and added sufficient feed and herbs. But to my surprise, even a single one was left in the tank. Another thing I noticed was it will feed its own try and the mother becomes very ferocious and she will release her fries very safely. If any ripples or change in the water, she suddenly opens her mouth and safeguards her fries. Thank you, sir. Dr. Jayasree.S
Jayasree.s Although Tilapia is very good and tasty fish, good for intensive production either in pond, raceways or cages/pen. Its breeding programs should be done by specialized tilapia hatchery, which maintains genetically pure brood and distributes the pure seed to farmers. Farmers need to purchase each year for stocking.
Once the Tilapia is released into the natural then it starts dominating on the local spp by foraging egg mass or feeding on small fries as I believe so. Now it accidentally gets introduced in the lakes of Pokhara valley in Nepal. Now its population is increasing in catch (though it is good) but on the contrary, the population of important local spp has gone down. Naturally, T. nilotica by nature is not a carnivorous fish it is rather a plantivorus fish. As the fish is spreading so fast in Asia it is getting difficult to safeguard our indigenous spp. Therefore natural water sanctuaries need to be established to save the important indigenous fish spp. That is what I believe. Though I love to eat Tilapia.
Tilapia culture can be done in coastal of Andhra Pradesh, India. Let me know.
In case, if there is much tilapia fry is observed in a pond please refer to my book published by M/s Duron Agro Industries, wherein my practical experience on removing Tilapia which are competing with other valuable fishes belonging to carp families are written. Please contact Mr. Sekhar Kumar Karmakar, Managing partner of Duron Agro Industries, Kolkata,West Bengal,India.
My experience is, without harming the local fishes of interest, wherever it may be, early fry, fry and advanced fry of T. mossambica and T. nilotica may be eradicated by applying a chemical without any damage to the other commercial fishes of interest.
What is that chemical? Will it not retain residues?
Hi Barry
I'm glad you found value in the article. As mentioned in the article. A new wave of higher quality marine cultivated tilapia distinguished through branding simultaneously scooping-up top honors by seafood sustainability movements (RAS, BFT, IMTA etc) will be key to a new growth phase for tilapia aquaculture.
We all need to stay the course!!!
Best,
Ray Kourie
PRICHEMIN MIX
Way to go.
Nice forum! I will share it with all of my friends.
The article is very interesting. It is very useful. Thank you very much.
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