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Tilapia.
© Melanie Stiassny, AMNH |
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Species or Group:
Tilapia
Notes:
Tilapia is a freshwater fish, native to Africa, that is farmed intensively in the U. S. and elsewhere. In the U. S., it's typically raised in closed-tank systems, where water pollution can be controlled and fish can't escape into wild populations. Tilapia have also been widely introduced in other tropical areas (e.g. Central America, Israel, Asia), where they are often farmed in natural freshwater systems, sometimes with serious negative consequences for native fishes.
Status:
Booming.
Management Adequacy:
Concerns focus on water quality standards and habitat protection, which vary according to location.
By-Kill and Other Considerations:
Low. Farmed tilapia are raised on largely-vegetarian diets, so feeding them does not put heavy pressure on wild fish. Although widespread introductions undermine biological integrity of natural communities elsewhere, this is not a major consideration for U.S. consumers.
Overall Recommendation:
Green. If artificially raised in closed systems, as it is in the U. S., it’s the closest thing there is to a barn animal with gills.
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