Canadian Farmed Tilapia
Species farmed…
Tilapia is a warm water, fresh water fish farmed in a few locations in Canada. The flesh is white, moist and mild-flavoured – making it a versatile choice for a variety of recipes. While dozens of species are farmed worldwide, three species make up the bulk of production. The main species farmed in Canada is the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.
Tilapia is one of the fastest growing fish farming sectors globally, led by China and other low cost Asian and South American producers. Over 4 million tonnes were produced in 2012, and it is now in the top 10 fish species consumed in North America.
All of the Canadian production is sold live to local markets, where premium prices are obtained for fresh, live fish. Toronto is the single largest market for live tilapia in North America - while burgeoning markets exist in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
How they’re farmed…
Tilapia are raised in land-based, heated tank systems that employ state-of-the-art recirculation technology. The same water is reused several times by the fish. The waste water is then treated with biological nutrient removal processes including aquaponics – systems combining hydroponic plant production with fish farming – to enhance the overall value of production. High end Boston lettuce and herbs are produced in aquaponics in Canada.
Tilapia require temperatures above 24 C in order to thrive. Their fast growth means the fish reach maturity at only a few months of age. Farmed tilapia can therefore produce several broods each year(unlike our cold-water species which typically only produce one brood per year). Tilapia are stocked in tanks at very small fingerling sizes (< 2 grams) supplied from Canadian hatchery breeding stock. While 200-400 gram tilapia are preferred for the live markets, they can grow to 45 cm in size and up to 2 kg in weight,. Growth from fingerling to market size typically takes less than 10 months in land-based rearing systems.
What they eat…
Tilapia are omnivorous, eating a variety of plant and animal products. Commercial diets consist mostly of lower cost plant-protein ingredients. Work is underway to more effectively utilize cereal and grain crops grown in the Canadian prairie provinces for use in tilapia diets both in Canada and globally.
Why they’re environmentally sustainable…
Tilapia utilize plant-based diets produced primarily from low impact agricultural commodities.
Tilapia are raised in closed containment systems on land. Tilapia production requires minimal access to water as the fish can be reared in high densities in land-based systems with relatively little water turnover. The systems employed for culture are self-cleaning and generate little in the way of organic and inorganic waste. These systems generate in extremely low to nil environmental impacts on the surrounding environment.
Did you know…
Tilapia is sometimes referred to as St. Peter’s fish, as they are believed to be the fish caught when Christ asked St. Peter to cast out his net in the Sea of Galilee.
It is believed the Egyptians farmed tilapia for food over 3,000 years ago.
