Tilapia is one of the world's most farmed fish species. Welfare standards vary enormously between extensive artisanal and intensive industrial systems.
Tilapia's physiological hardiness does not eliminate welfare concerns from intensive production. Stress responses to crowding, disease outbreaks from poor water quality, and the welfare implications of hormone-based sex reversal all require attention. Consumer awareness of production system differences is low for tilapia compared to salmon, representing an advocacy gap.