Tilapia certification programs are expanding globally but face implementation challenges that limit welfare benefits reaching fish on the ground.
Tilapia certification represents a genuine welfare improvement pathway, but audit costs and limited price premiums create a market structure where large industrial producers dominate certified supply. Small-scale tilapia farmers who may practice good welfare by necessity — lower stocking density, natural food sources — are excluded from market benefits. Developing group certification schemes and reducing audit burden for small producers are identified as priority interventions to broaden welfare improvement reach.