around 3 million tons. Most of the growth has occurred in Asia and Africa, although tilapia production exists in more than 100 countries. China is the world leader in tilapia production. Other large producers include Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and the Philippines.
because of its positive culture characteristics, it is one of the most sustainable types of aquaculture on earth, as well as a very important source of animal protein around the world. Tilapia production and consumption have grown at astonishing rates, and they will continue to increase. Although tilapia has been farmed for 3,000 years, it only became able to feed the many mouths it does because of the work of Auburn University students and faculty.
Aquaculture’s Impact The growth in tilapia production is almost entirely due to aquaculture. Records from the FAO Fishstate Plus database for quantity and value dating back to 1975 show tilapia production through 2007 increased from 1982 by about 100 times. The growth in production is continuing at a pace never experienced by any other farmed fish. The total farm-gate value of world tilapia production is more than $3 billion. This does not account for the value added to the produce as it moves from the farmer to the consumer. There are no estimates as to the number of people employed in tilapia production worldwide, but obviously new businesses set up to produce, harvest, process, and market tilapia have had a significant positive impact on world fish supplies. Marine fisheries cannot keep up with demand for fish protein and tilapia has helped the supply keep pace with demand from people who are moving into a growing middle class around the world. Also, in many countries of Africa, Asia, and
Latin America, tilapia continue to contribute to subsistence diets as a source of high-quality protein produced at a relatively low cost. As an example of its increasing world importance, data from the USDA Economic Research Service show that imports of tilapia into the United States increased from 7.5 million pounds in 1992 to 396 million pounds by 2008. The value of these imports increased from $6 million in 1992 to $843 million in 2010, making it the fifth most popular fish in the United States at well over one pound consumed per capita.
The Tilapia Advantage The advantages of tilapia production are numerous for a growing world population. It substitutes for many desirable marine and freshwater fish, and
The Good News Fish is the most commonly eaten protein on earth. Through research, education, outreach, extension, and a number of invaluable partner101 ships, Auburn University’s School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences has improved the quality of life for millions of people through domestic and international development projects. Auburn faculty and graduates work in Alabama and across the globe to manage, protect, conserve, and enhance aquatic resources. There has never been a more exciting time in fish production. And there is work for many hands to make life sustainable and enriched for the billions who share our earth and the billions more who will join us in the coming decades.