🐟 Fishy dilemma

Brazil’s government is reviewing a proposal to classify tilapia as an invasive alien species, a move that could tighten safety requirements for fish farmers to prevent escapes into native ecosystems — a problem that has been well documented across the country. The debate has alarmed producers, who fear that new regulations could hinder a fast-growing industry.

The Environment Ministry is updating its National List of Invasive Alien Species, which will be debated in early 2026 at a meeting of Conabio, the National Biodiversity Commission, made up of representatives from 12 ministries, federal and local agencies, research institutions, NGOs, indigenous communities and farming groups. Tilapia is one of more than 400 animal species under review. 

Native to Africa — one of the family’s most common species is the Nile tilapia, named after the river — tilapia has spread globally throughout the aquaculture sector and is now among the world’s most farmed fish. In Brazil, it dominates the sector and is often…

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