Tilapia; from the Nile to the World
Abstract
This study addressed the potential of tilapia aquaculture as a major contributor to food production and poverty alleviation all over the world. To encompass this subject, tilapia history, origin, aquaculture potential, constraints, current and future production levels were reviewed. Tilapias are native to the River Nile and Africa in general then they were introduced and disseminated worldwide. Positive aquacultural characteristics of tilapia made tilapias the most cultured species worldwide now and in the near future. Tilapia world production is expected to reach 3 million tons this year 2010. Thus, tilapias could make a significant contribution to the livelihoods support especially in the tropical and subtropical countries.
Key words: Tilapia, Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, introduction, production, River Nile.
INTRODUCTION
Tilapia is the second world wide cultured species after carps. They are also known as “Aquaculture Chicken” as they are present in all continents except Antarctic. Tilapia culture goes back to the ancient Egyptians who cultured Nile tilapia in ponds around 5000 years ago as indicated by paints on the walls of Pharaohs’ tombs. Moreover, tilapia has a Hilogryphs and was known as in.t. Aristotle named it as “Nile Tilapia” or fish of the Nile; 300 years BC. Thus, Tilapia is native to the Nile River (Fig. 1) and to Africa in general (1 and 2). Tilapias were then introduced to many countries in the 1950 's and 1960 's as a "wonder fish". Although tilapia had certainly, a major impact on aquaculture developments in Asia and the Pacific since the 1970s, there are some claims that tilapias are invasive and affected the native species in the natural water ecosystems. However, there is scant explicit evidence to indicate that tilapias have been overly destructive environmentally (6). Such claims frightened and prevented some countries such as Australia to introduce tilapia culture to their lands. Therefore, the objective of this study
This study addressed the potential of tilapia aquaculture as a major contributor to food production and poverty alleviation all over the world. To encompass this subject, tilapia history, origin, aquaculture potential, constraints, current and future production levels were reviewed. Tilapias are native to the River Nile and Africa in general then they were introduced and disseminated worldwide. Positive aquacultural characteristics of tilapia made tilapias the most cultured species worldwide now and in the near future. Tilapia world production is expected to reach 3 million tons this year 2010. Thus, tilapias could make a significant contribution to the livelihoods support especially in the tropical and subtropical countries.
Key words: Tilapia, Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, introduction, production, River Nile.
INTRODUCTION
Tilapia is the second world wide cultured species after carps. They are also known as “Aquaculture Chicken” as they are present in all continents except Antarctic. Tilapia culture goes back to the ancient Egyptians who cultured Nile tilapia in ponds around 5000 years ago as indicated by paints on the walls of Pharaohs’ tombs. Moreover, tilapia has a Hilogryphs and was known as in.t. Aristotle named it as “Nile Tilapia” or fish of the Nile; 300 years BC. Thus, Tilapia is native to the Nile River (Fig. 1) and to Africa in general (1 and 2). Tilapias were then introduced to many countries in the 1950 's and 1960 's as a "wonder fish". Although tilapia had certainly, a major impact on aquaculture developments in Asia and the Pacific since the 1970s, there are some claims that tilapias are invasive and affected the native species in the natural water ecosystems. However, there is scant explicit evidence to indicate that tilapias have been overly destructive environmentally (6). Such claims frightened and prevented some countries such as Australia to introduce tilapia culture to their lands. Therefore, the objective of this study
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