Aquaculture Welfare

Farmed Tilapia Disease Stress Management

Disease events in farmed tilapia cause significant welfare compromise - prevention through biosecurity and water quality is far preferable to treatment.

Key Facts

Streptococcosis is the most economically significant tilapia disease globally
Stress from crowding and poor water quality dramatically increases disease susceptibility
Tilapia lake virus is an emerging pathogen causing high mortality in some regions
Vaccination against streptococcosis is available and reduces antibiotic use
Biosecurity protocols between ponds prevent horizontal disease transmission

Welfare Considerations

Disease in farmed tilapia causes suffering through infection, immune response, and often painful lesions. Prevention-focused management through good water quality and biosecurity reduces disease incidence and the welfare costs of illness.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture certification schemes that require documented disease management plans
Advocate for vaccination programmes as an alternative to antibiotic treatment
Choose tilapia products from certified farms with published health management protocols