BajaNomad - Researchers successfully cultivate tilapia in sea water

Researchers successfully cultivate tilapia in sea water

BajaNews - 3-7-2011 at 09:04 PM

http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&am...

By Laura Fasano
March 08, 2011

A team of researchers from the state of Baja California have been able to raise tilapia, a freshwater species of high commercial value in seawater.

The research project conducted at the Center for Scientific Research and Advanced Studies of Ensenada (CICESE), showed that over a period of eight months, the tilapia were born in freshwater and acquired an ideal size for the first harvest in seawater.

These results open new possibilities for developing aquaculture in areas where fresh water resources are very limited, as in Baja California.

"We show that here in Baja California, tilapia can be grown in sea water to prevent the use of fresh water," noted Dr. Fernando Bückle, researcher at the Department of Aquaculture, during an interview, accompanied by Dr. Monica Hernandez, co-director of the project.

The experiments were conducted in tanks with a capacity of 30 cubic meters, with recirculation systems designed and built in the Aquaculture Department of CICESE.

The first tank (out of a total of three) resulted in an initial number of 1,040 fish (34.6 fish x m3), which at the end of the harvest yielded 361 kg of high quality tilapia, detailed Fernando Bückle and Monica Hernandez in a statement by CICESE.

The cultivation began with the acquisition of tilapia fry - a hybrid of Oreochromis mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus of a red colour - which were around an inch in length.

The fish were placed in 1,500-liter tanks containing fresh water, where they remained for a month and a half, until they reached a weight of 5 grams, which is the recommended weight by other authors for transfer to seawater.

The researchers conducted three experiments to determine the minimum time required to achieve the transfer from freshwater to seawater. The first experiment was conducted in 11 days, the second in 10 days and the third in 5 days.

"Fresh water is 0.5 parts per 1000 of salinity (‰) and in five days the fish adapted to 35 ‰, ie sea water. This means it is a very strong osmotic change and which the fish resisted perfectly well. In general, during the process, the mortality was very low and allowed us to divide the fish we had into three pools: one with 3,300 fish, another with 1,040 and the third with 2,020 specimens," said Dr. Bückle.

Already in seawater, the tilapia continued to grow by consuming a diet with 35 per cent protein until they weigh approximately 400 grams (reference of a good size) after five months.

DENNIS - 3-7-2011 at 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNews
"We show that here in Baja California, tilapia can be grown in sea water to prevent the use of fresh water,"

They probably haven't looked into it, but I'll bet they could get the same results in other places.

Skipjack Joe - 3-7-2011 at 11:12 PM

Yes, like the Salton Sea.

I must be missing something here because if tilapia grow through their full cycle at Salton Sea what's the point of this experiment that moves them from freshwater to saltwater.

:?:

It's not nice to fool with mother nature

Dave - 3-8-2011 at 02:40 AM

The kudzu of trash fish. God help us if they put this species in the gulf. :rolleyes:

BillP - 3-8-2011 at 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Yes, like the Salton Sea.

I must be missing something here because if tilapia grow through their full cycle at Salton Sea what's the point of this experiment that moves them from freshwater to saltwater.

:?:

I musta missed it too, far as I know they've been thriving in the Salton Sea for decades! The Salton Sea has what, 2-3 times the salt of the ocean?

I'm with Dave, hope they don't try putting them in the SOC.

mulegemichael - 3-8-2011 at 07:20 AM

we have, what appears to be tilapia here in the lagoon at mulege...with that in mind, they are already in the SOC..

woody with a view - 3-8-2011 at 07:26 AM

:barf:

DENNIS - 3-8-2011 at 07:46 AM

I've heard that if you ever see them farmed, you'll never eat them again.

Trash-Tasting CRAP

MrBillM - 3-8-2011 at 08:42 AM

It's a sign of how BAD fishery has become that Markets and Restaurants are actually advertising this garbage in print and on the TV.

I was working in the Auto Electric business in Indio back when the Coachella Valley County Water District decided to introduce Tilapia into the Canal System to eat the weeds. There was a HUGE controversy with even Scientists working FOR CVCWD arguing AGAINST it, but they decided it was a Cheap way to go.

At the time, they GUARANTEED that the fish would NEVER get past the barriers and INTO the Salton Sea.

Which, they ALMOST Immediately did. And proceeded to eat every other fish in sight.

[Edited on 3-8-2011 by MrBillM]

Tilapia

tehag - 3-8-2011 at 09:40 AM

Introduced species rarely yield overall good results, something else in the system always has to give. Tilapia are already an introduced species which has invaded and trashed freshwater fisheries throughout North America. Their depredations would be even worse if not for the annual die-off caused by water temps below their tolerance in much of that range. No such control exists in most Mexican salt or fresh water. The waters, large and very small, throughout the Sierra la Giganta in Baja Sur are now infested with them, much to the detriment of that fragile environment. The list of disastrous introductions from place to place around the world, both deliberate and accidental, is long and generally tragic: house sparrow, European starling, cane toad, zebra mussel, nutria, mongoose, brown tree snake, cottontail rabbit, Brazilian and Indonesian pepper trees, pampas grass, Russian thistle, kudzu, etc., etc.

Here's a shot of an osprey tearing into a tilapia that was plucked from about 6 inches of water, 10 miles southwest of San Xavier in the Sierra la Giganta.

ElCap - 3-8-2011 at 10:56 AM

Tilapia are now the dominant fish species in the freshwater lagoon (presa) in San Ignacio. They likely out-compete native species for food resources, but I don't think they are actually eating other fish - they are primarily herbivores/detritivores. I would imagine they are in most if not all freshwater lakes & reservoirs of Baja, for better or worse.

Woooosh - 3-8-2011 at 11:57 AM

So I've been eating freshwater ceviche and fish tacos all this time?

DENNIS - 3-8-2011 at 12:03 PM

I've had the frozen filets bought from WalMart and the fish is tasteless.

Cypress - 3-8-2011 at 03:51 PM

Have eaten tilapia a number of times. Tastes fine! Will not eat any seafood imported from Asia.

IF You Say So.

MrBillM - 3-8-2011 at 04:58 PM

One thing's certain.

I won't be looking for dining advice from Cypress.

But, having said in the past that it tastes like Crap, I have to say that Dennis is probably correct. It just doesn't have ANY taste.

Like Calimari.

DENNIS - 3-8-2011 at 05:09 PM

A lot of these delicacies only taste as good as what you put on them.

Calamari?? Never a big fan of the stuff.

Bajahowodd - 3-8-2011 at 05:09 PM

Problem is that with the worldwide hunger for fish, species are eradicated to supply the need. Anyone remember Orange Roughy?

I'm thinking that despite the overall lack of taste of tilapia, if the mass unwashed are willing to eat it, and it is being very easily farmed, than more power to the rest of marine life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilapia

DENNIS - 3-8-2011 at 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Problem is that with the worldwide hunger for fish, species are eradicated to supply the need. Anyone remember Orange Roughy?

Yeah....is that fish history?

And...what about Orange Julius? Now...that stuff was good. Are they extinct?
I think we went through this a while back....I think. Can't remember everything.

Bajahowodd - 3-8-2011 at 05:25 PM

Just go to a mall in SOCAL.

DENNIS - 3-8-2011 at 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Just go to a mall in SOCAL.

What's a Mall? [been down here too long] :lol:

Lessons un-learned

djh - 3-8-2011 at 06:21 PM

Back in the late 1800's a man in New York introduced (the first ever) 100 starlings into Central Park.....

I don't imagine there is an accurate bird census but there are hundreds of millions of them from Canada into Mexico ~ and the impact to native species has been dramatic (and sad). I don't hate or fault the starlings (their chorus is pretty amazing) . . . but there is a lesson in this.

There are lots of similar disasters that you probably remember . . . knapweed in the west, croakee (sp?) frogs in Hawaii, etc.

I like Bill's example of the Talapia introduction into the irrigation canals and the gurantee that they would not enter the Salton Sea....

Amigos over 50 . . . let's all sing along:

Where have all the big fish gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the big fish gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the big fish gone ~
Gone to Iflyfish's cooler, everyone. (insert name of choice)
When will we ever learn?
When will we ehhhhh ver learn ?

Someone wanna write the second verse ?

:yes:

djh

bajajudy - 3-8-2011 at 06:23 PM

I was thrilled to see all the dead Talipia on the beach when the estuary broke through a few months back as it meant they were no longer clogging up the estuary. The thought of the oceans full of these nasty beasts is scary.

Cypress - 3-8-2011 at 07:11 PM

Tilapia eat plant matter. They are generally free of envronmental contamination because they prefer plant matter for food. Tilapia are considered a choice fish in countries across the world. Most of what we eat would be considered bland without seasoning.

djh - 3-8-2011 at 08:16 PM

I've eaten it several times....

Prepared well, it isn't too bad ~ not like the Cabrilla or Baja Shrimps prepared by Juan Carlos at Cate Mita on the Loreto square or at Islas, mind you, but not bad...

It is a popular fish with many fish farmers in Taiwan, where Shing grew up.... One of my favorite friends, Toivo, in Chiang Mai Thailand just stocked his new pond with Talapia. It is obviously a viable and valuable source of good protein that affords opportunities for our growing human population.

My earlier comments were a just a reminder of what can happen if a non native species is introduced into a natural environment rather than a contained system / fish farm with protections to keep them out of the natural systems.

For myself, I don't eat beef, pork, poultry, etc. . . but I do eat seafood a few times a week. I prefer wild caught.... and I so appreciate the amazing fish in the SOC. I did a lot of fly fishing in WA and ID and MT in the 70's and early 80's. I hope to start fishing again in Baja.

djh

mulegemichael - 3-8-2011 at 08:44 PM

cypress....tilapia also eat ham, bacon and hotdogs....that's speaking from experience at san ignacio lagoon when we stayed with terry and gary at the b and b...we brought no gear so they gave us a primitive fly rod and a baggie with some of tomorrows carne in it....caught one after another right off the bank...they made us promise to turn them all loose...and we did..but a fun afternoon

Skipjack Joe - 3-8-2011 at 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I've heard that if you ever see them farmed, you'll never eat them again.

If you've ever seen them in a tank at farmer's market or an asian restaurant you'll never eat one.

They keep them alive in a tank to preserve their freshness before serving. But usually they're so crowded that there are always a few dead ones and half a dozen swimming sideways. The whole spectacle is macabre ... only to be outdone by the thought of one of these later served on a plate.

On the other hand those beef yards along hwy 5 can turn a guy into a vegetarian.

djh - 3-8-2011 at 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I've heard that if you ever see them farmed, you'll never eat them again.

THAT is pretty much the reason I stopped eating meat when I was young & left home. Growing up & seeing the chicken "farms", stockyards, and slaughterhouse where I grew up did it for me.... for life... Geeze almost 40 years ago.... and now at 55 . . . . well I don't look a day over 62 :?:

djh

BajaBruno - 3-8-2011 at 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I've had the frozen filets bought from WalMart and the fish is tasteless.

And this, my friend, is its allure to the masses who do not like fish that tastes like fish.

TMW - 3-9-2011 at 08:57 AM

Tilapia is low in murcury but high in fat. As for taste Cypress is correct. It's the seasoning that makes it acceptable. To me there is nothing that taste better than fresh caught fish, some better than others, sometimes much better.

DENNIS - 3-9-2011 at 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBruno
And this, my friend, is its allure to the masses who do not like fish that tastes like fish.

The frozen package which I bought had directions and times for leaving it in the trunk of your car to take on flavors and aromas of various fish. For instance, 18 hours at 95 degrees will be just like Yellowtail. :lol:

Nothing Better ?

MrBillM - 3-9-2011 at 03:24 PM

The BEST Fish I've ever eaten didn't taste as good as Last Night's Grilled Rib-Eye and no amount of seasoning would change that.

Cypress - 3-9-2011 at 03:40 PM

Tilapia will die if the water temps. drop below 50 F. There are breeding populations in some of the rivers that empty into the Gulf of Mexico. Ideal temp range is 82 F to 86 F. They can reproduce in salt water, but the higher the salinity the lower the survival rate of fertilized eggs.

Heavy Breeding

MrBillM - 3-9-2011 at 03:49 PM

IF their Survival rate is lower with Higher Salinity, those Little Buggers must REALLY be doing some Olympian Breeding down at the Salton Sea given its HIGH Salinity and their HIGH Numbers there.

Years ago, even the Vietnamese illegally netting them nightly at a thousand-pounds per couldn't put a dent in their numbers.

Mexitron - 3-9-2011 at 03:51 PM

The marvelous thing about Tilapia is that they have almost a 1:1 ratio of resource to growth----that is, it takes about one pound of feed to make one pound of fish...so it is very green in that sense. Chickens are around 3:1, maybe less these days, pigs are higher still, and cattle have a 25:1 resource to growth ratio....quite inefficient.

But yah it sucks that they could invade the SOC....anyone seen them while diving or fishing out in the open waters?

Good Point

Bajahowodd - 3-9-2011 at 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Tilapia eat plant matter. They are generally free of envronmental contamination because they prefer plant matter for food. Tilapia are considered a choice fish in countries across the world. Most of what we eat would be considered bland without seasoning.

I've always been amazed at the fervor for shrimp, and to a lesser extent, lobster. Who eats either of them plain?

Whether cooked with plenty of butter and garlic, or dipped in some tomato based sauce, just don't know what the demand would be for this food without the spice.

Yeah, BUT ................

MrBillM - 3-9-2011 at 06:05 PM

That 25:1 Ratio is Worth it when it produces Rib-Eyes.

OR Even Hamburger.

If Cows have to die- So be it.

And, those delectable steaks WOULD taste great sans seasoning straight off the Grill Black on the edges and still (slightly) Bloody inside.

Of Course, Salt and Pepper along with some REAL Butter doesn't hurt.

Mexitron - 3-10-2011 at 07:07 AM

By all means Mr. BillM, although I do think subsidizing cattle ranchers in marginal environments, where cattle do real harm, is doubly inefficient---for taxpayers and the flora. But plenty of other good grazing land in the US,heh, think I'll go fire up the grill........

Cypress - 3-10-2011 at 09:57 AM

The wild fresh/salt water tilapia are reported to have a better flavor than those raised in fish farms.

Doubt if there's any danger of them or any other species overrunning the Sea of Cortez. Maybe triggerfish?

DENNIS - 3-10-2011 at 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
The wild fresh/salt water tilapia are reported to have a better flavor than those raised in fish farms.

I've had saltwater Cat Fish and I thought it far superior to the fresh water type.

Mexitron - 3-10-2011 at 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Jorge

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron
I do think subsidizing cattle ranchers in marginal environments, where cattle do real harm, is doubly inefficient---for taxpayers and the flora. But plenty of other good grazing land in the US,heh, think I'll go fire up the grill........

Regarding the topic title "Researchers successfully cultivate tilapia in sea water," what a shock.

Next thing I will read "Researchers successfully cultivate tomatoes in dirt!" :lol:

Soon though they will be raising tilapia with cold water tolerance spliced in genetically. That will be a game changer.

I know this is off topic, but cattle ranchers, i.e. the cow-calf producers who produce the calf crop which ends up in the feed lot are not subsidized in any way. In fact, the cattle rancher, i.e. cow- calf producer is the hardest working most underpaid segment in the farming world today.

Subsidies, basis payments, federally backed insurance programs, ethanol support prices with tariff protections, CRP programs etc are not for the cattle rancher and in fact the current commodity bubble works against the cattle rancher as competition for pasture leases is intense due to high demand on all farmland to become cropland. Everyone wants to make a bundle now, be a part of the subsidized commodity bubble and boom before it bursts.

Tilapia is here to stay. There is lots of research being done especially in using tilapia in water treatment schemes because it is an efficient converter of carbohydrates to protein. Tilapia is already an important global protein source, albeit imo, a poor choice for those who can afford to choose.

Tilapia is high in fat and so is salmon. But salmon is 1:1 Omega 6 to Omega 3 and tilapia is 11:1. This compares to grain finished beef also being 11:1 Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio and grass fed and finished beef being 1:1 ratio Omega 6 to Omega 3. We all have heard of the benefits of balanced Omegas in our diets.

I disdain tilapia as a food but it is gaining popularity worldwide and is not going away.

It is both funny and sad that tilapia in the San Ignacio lagoon is regarded by some as a catch and release fishery. WTF, eh?

I stand corrected if true.....however I have read of ranchers on marginal lands in the Nevada/Montana high deserts receiving subsidies...otherwise they couldn't make a living.

monoloco - 3-10-2011 at 11:48 AM

Cattle ranchers in the west are subsidized by cheap grazing on public lands that doesn't come anywhere close to covering the costs of the environmental degradation inflicted by their cattle.

Cypress - 3-10-2011 at 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
Cattle ranchers in the west are subsidized by cheap grazing on public lands that doesn't come anywhere close to covering the costs of the environmental degradation inflicted by their cattle.

Very true!

I'd Take the Triggerfish

MrBillM - 3-10-2011 at 03:33 PM

Since that was brought up.

When I was first introduced to Triggerfish, the comment was made that "a lot of people don't like them because they have a distinct taste".

I always liked them. They were plentiful, would bite on anything and were fun to catch.

Tough to clean, though. Since they were so plentiful, we used to take a friend's suggestion and just cut a square steak out of each side and feed the rest to the birds. Recycling, so to speak.

durrelllrobert - 3-10-2011 at 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNews
http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&am...

The cultivation began with the acquisition of tilapia fry - a hybrid of Oreochromis mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus of a red colour - which were around an inch in length.

Should have left them in the aquarium where they belong.
:?:

Oreochromis mossambicus is native to the entire east coast of Africa which is salt water.
The species was introduced to the U.S. by the aquarium and aquacultures trades and were released either accidentally or intentionally into waterways of Texas, Florida and Alabama (Brown 1961, Courtney et al. 1974, Bruton and Bolt 1975, Whiteside 1975, Lee et al. 1980). Riedel and Costa-Pierce (2005), describe the existence of a large southern California population of O. mossambicus within the Salton Sea and known locally as Salton Sea tilapia.

Oreochromis niloticus, commonly known as Nile tilapia, has been deliberately or accidentally introduced to the wild in many different parts of the world and can to be found on all continents except Antarctica. When farming tilapia it is important to prevent escapes and adhere to local regulations, because the adaptable and productive Nile tilapia can easily turn into a problematic invasive species

durrelllrobert - 3-10-2011 at 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Tilapia will die if the water temps. drop below 50 F.

what I read said the minimum survivability temp was 11 - 12 degrees C and 11C = 51.8F

preventing Escapes

MrBillM - 3-10-2011 at 06:55 PM

Right ! Easier said than done.

As I said, The CVCWD "Guaranteed" that those critters would never escape from the Canal.

Which they did. Almost Immediately.

Something to remember (again) WHENEVER Government agencies "Guarantee" anything.

Like Health Care, for instance.

OR, Homeland Security.

[Edited on 3-11-2011 by MrBillM]

durrelllrobert - 3-10-2011 at 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Since that was brought up.

When I was first introduced to Triggerfish, the comment was made that "a lot of people don't like them because they have a distinct taste".

I always liked them. They were plentiful, would bite on anything and were fun to catch.

Tough to clean, though. Since they were so plentiful, we used to take a friend's suggestion and just cut a square steak out of each side and feed the rest to the birds. Recycling, so to speak.

Best fish around for cevice

Ceviche, Sushi and Such

MrBillM - 3-10-2011 at 08:39 PM

THAT subject reminds me of a guy I knew in Baja once who would allow his fish to "cook" (without heat) in Lemon Juice.

It didn't matter WHAT the Fish was since it all tasted like Lemon when he finished.

JESSE - 3-10-2011 at 08:50 PM

I just can't believe Tilapia has create such a response :lol:

BajaBruno - 3-10-2011 at 10:08 PM

Good point, Jesse. It is, after-all, just a rather tasteless white fish. Which sort of reminds me of my ex-in-laws, now that I think about it.

Cypress - 3-11-2011 at 01:46 PM

Ceviche is a terrible waste of quality fish. Will take my fish cooked(fried, broiled, smoked etc.), not soaked in lime, vinegar, onions, salt, garlic and whatever else can be tossed in to make raw fish tase good.

Dittos to Ceviche AND Sushi

MrBillM - 3-13-2011 at 10:38 AM

I once helped out some Mexicans with their "Dead" truck south of San Felipe in mid-July. They showed their appreciation by insisting we come by their restaurant after following them into town where they showered us with serving after serving of Ceviche (and Superior). The MOST (and LAST) I've ever eaten. The wife loves it, though. Every party we go to where there is some, she wolfs it down.

Sushi can be added to my list of "Things you do to get Laid".

I dated a (co-worker) girl at GTE with that goal in mind and her favorite restaurant was a Sushi spot in Palm Springs SO, of course, we went there. As I poked at the mess of Raw Fish with Tasteless White Rice and she happily chattered over how great it was, I wondered IF it was worth it all.

It WAS (eventually), but I'm not sure that any other reason would have made the meal worthwhile.

Cypress - 3-13-2011 at 10:52 AM

Got sick from eating a batch of ceviche once. Not sure whether it was scombroid or ciguatera poisoning, but it was bad. Will take my fish cooked with heat, not soaked in lime juice.

monoloco - 3-13-2011 at 05:14 PM

Ciguatoxin is very heat tolerant and is not destroyed by cooking, likewise scombrotoxic fish poisoning is not eliminated by cooking. The main danger of eating raw fish is parasites.