Title: Balancing tilapia production with conservation : perspectives in aquaculture
Abstract: Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the species of choice for tilapia culture worldwide due to its fast growth and robust nature. Genetic development to improve the species, such as the latest strains of GIFT tilapia, has elevated growth rates by about 60%. A commercial strain reaches about 500g in weight in eight months, while an indigenous Mozambican tilapia (O. mossambicus) takes 11 to 14 months to attain the same weight. This has great implications for economic viability. Most African countries where Nile tilapia is not indigenous have accepted the fact that the benefits of the improved strains outweigh its conservation threats. While this has undoubtedly had conservation implications, the positive spin-off has been that many thousand of tons of farmed fish are now available in these countries, reducing the pressure on marine fish stocks, and helping to provide protein in protein-poor areas.
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-12-01
Language: en
Type: article
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