Tilapia: How an invasive fish came to dominate our ecology, food and psyche

Tilapia: How an invasive fish came to dominate our ecology, food and psyche

By Aaron Savio Lobo

Source: monga bay

10/15/2020

Tilapia are among several fish species belonging to the family Cichlidae, native to Africa and the Middle East. Their ability to adapt to a wide variety of conditions, their omnivorous food habits and their popularity in the aquaculture sector have resulted in tilapias being introduced to several parts of the world.
The Mozambique and the Nile tilapia were introduced into India to boost food security. However, through both accident and intentional release, the species have established themselves through large sections of the country’s waterways, making their way into biodiversity hotspots as well.

Creating a market for an invasive species like the tilapia, if not done with a clear understanding about their threat to local ecosystems and reasons for their eradication, can have serious consequences for natural ecosystems and ecosystem services.
On the eve of the World Food Day (October 16), Aaron Savio Lobo examines the complex issues around tilapia in this commentary.

Tilapia

Continue...

News Id		Source	Stamp	country
1351	Mystery of 200-pound bluefin tuna washed up on Orcas Island	mynorthwest	2023-10-09	US
1352	Ghoulish footballfish makes rare appearance on Orange County beach	latimes	2023-10-21	US
1353	Alligator gar caught in Texas weighing 283 pounds shatters multiple records	Fox News	2023-10-25	US
1354	From kingfish to insects: insights from the €200 m ocean impact fund	thefishsite	2023-10-25	BZ
1355	Сом в шляпе	ohotniki	2023-10-23	RU
1356	Japanese Method of Humane Fish Killing Improves Quality and Flavor	ecoRI News	2023-10-12	JP
1357	The return of an old scourge reveals a deep sickness in the global fishing industry	bostonglobe	2023-10-12	CN
1358	Artist expresses depths of grief, then healing, in eye-catching paintings of fish	nola	2023-10-13	US
1359	First ever bluefin tuna found in Salish Sea stumps local marine experts	KOMO News	2023-10-14	US
1360	Leading UK chefs join campaign to cast farmed salmon off menu	theguardian	2023-10-14	UK
1361	Osakis fisherman loses runaway walleye during photo op	echopress	2023-10-20	CA
1362	Plan for water cuts from 3 Western states is enough to protect Colorado River	The Associated Press	2023-10-25	US
1363	Tsleil-Waututh’s race to save salmon habitat in drought stricken southwest B.C.	coastalnewstoday	2023-10-20	CA
1364	Alleged salmon price-fixing scheme prompts $5.2M Canadian settlement	vancouverisawesome	2023-10-20	CA
1365	The Ausable River's fish died in droves in July.	CBC News	2023-10-12	CA
1366	Reaping the rewards of a move from agri- to aqua-culture	thefishsite	2023-10-20	IN
1367	‘It smells so bad’: glut of wild salmon creates stink in Norway and Finland	theguardian	2023-10-02	UK
1368	Estonia's national fish stock fell by half even while adhering to quota	err	2023-10-04	EE
1369	Invasive spiny water flea found in Lake Winnipesaukee for first time ever	masslive	2023-10-01	US
1370	Fisherman loses runaway walleye during photo op and makes miraculous catch	echopress	2023-10-20	US
1371	Illegal fishing plagues Omani coastal cities	muscatdaily	2023-10-07	OM
1372	A young leader fights for Yukon River salmon, her community – and herself	alaskapublic	2023-10-03	US
1373	North Carolina angler's colorful puddingwife catch may set world record	foxweather	2023-10-03	US
1374	Canada’s DFO confronts Native fishermen	nationalfisherman	2023-10-19	CA
1375	US Women's Fly Fishing Team Wins Bronze Medal at 2023	einnews	2023-10-19	US