If I were to ask you an estimate of how much seafood you have consumed this year, what would your answer be? In the U.S. alone we consume about 5 billion pounds of seafood in just one year! Over the past ten years, one fish has grown to become one of the most consumed seafood in America, and that fish is Tilapia. Commonly referred to as the “aquatic chicken”, Tilapia is attractive to fish producers and consumers, because it is easy to breed and lacks the strong “fishy” taste many people dislike. Tilapia has a lot of economic importance in today’s fish market, and is predominantly one of the most farm-raised fish in the world. However, recent studies have shown that farm-raised fish consists of harmful contaminants, such as Mercury, and
…show more content…
i China not only consumes more Tilapia than any other country, but it also produces almost half of the global amount of Tilapia. The U.S. imports millions of dollars’ worth of Tilapia each year and is vital to the survival of the companies exporting this fish. As a result, Tilapia has become very economically important to farmers in these countries, because it is the source of their income. In addition, Tilapia is very economically popular in America’s restaurant industry, because it is significantly cheaper than most popular fish in our market. As a result, it is very popular to restaurants, who want to make a high profit margin on a cheap item. However, Tilapia’s growing popularity is leaving the industry very competitive, and farmers are being forced to find ways to produce this fish at a cheaper cost.
Tilapia is optimal for farming because it will endure being in overcrowded environments and is cheap to feed. ii However, this has resulted in many farmers using cheap and unsanitary methods to produce these fish. Some people argue that Tilapia farming will be a way to reduce the negative effects on the fish industry, as a result of our depleting sources of wild fish. On the contrary, others believe it is causing major environmental and health risks, which will have economic
i China not only consumes more Tilapia than any other country, but it also produces almost half of the global amount of Tilapia. The U.S. imports millions of dollars’ worth of Tilapia each year and is vital to the survival of the companies exporting this fish. As a result, Tilapia has become very economically important to farmers in these countries, because it is the source of their income. In addition, Tilapia is very economically popular in America’s restaurant industry, because it is significantly cheaper than most popular fish in our market. As a result, it is very popular to restaurants, who want to make a high profit margin on a cheap item. However, Tilapia’s growing popularity is leaving the industry very competitive, and farmers are being forced to find ways to produce this fish at a cheaper cost.
Tilapia is optimal for farming because it will endure being in overcrowded environments and is cheap to feed. ii However, this has resulted in many farmers using cheap and unsanitary methods to produce these fish. Some people argue that Tilapia farming will be a way to reduce the negative effects on the fish industry, as a result of our depleting sources of wild fish. On the contrary, others believe it is causing major environmental and health risks, which will have economic