The current situation and analysis of the standardization of tilapia industry

More than 100 countries and regions are rearing tilapia now,and the global annual output of tilapia has reached about two million tons.Tilapia is one of the products having an edge for export in China.Over the past decade,the tilapia production in China has been increasing at an average annual rate of about 9%,ranking first in the world.To understand the current situation of standardization of tilapia industry,and to survey the applicability of current working standard in the tilapia industry,the subject study group investigated the overall process of tilapia production and circulation in China by paying a site visit,collecting data,and distributing questionnaire etc.in Guangdong,Guangxi and Hainan Provinces,which are the main producing regions of tilapia aquaculture.The subject study group has already learned the potential hazard in all links of tilapia industry,such as water quality for rearing tilapia;tilapia germplasm,fry and broodstock;selection of feed and feeding;disease control and medication;sanitation and hygiene of transportation equipment;and processing and packing,etc.Actual application of the standard was investigated,the missing standards and those needing to modify were listed systematically.After research and analysis of the standards of healthy culture and quality safety,which are currently applied in advanced countries,and in combination with the actual demand and research situation of tilapia industry in China,4 standards to be established and 6 standards to be revised were proposed to provide guarantee for healthy development of tilapia industry.