Tilapia are transported live at high density in aquaculture supply chains across Asia and Africa, with welfare challenges from oxygen depletion, ammonia accumulation and temperature stress during extended journeys.
Tilapia transport welfare is a significant and underaddressed challenge in tropical aquaculture supply chains. Long transport durations without water exchange cause deteriorating water quality that causes acute physiological stress. Simple low-cost interventions including aeration, anaesthesia and reduced stocking density produce significant welfare improvements with co-benefits for survival and product quality.