Fish is an integral part of a healthy human diet. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish per week. But how can you know that the fish you buy not only has great taste and nutritional benefits, but is also friendly to the environment?
DID YOU KNOW
that responsible Tilapia aquaculture is considered one of the greenest types of aquaculture among fish and crustaceans?
WHY RESPONSIBLE AQUACULTURE? With many of our wild fish supplies in danger, the commercial fishing industry must regulate catch allowances and minimize pollution in order to ensure the continued existence of many species and maintain balance in the ocean’s ecology. Aquaculture, when practiced responsibly, is the most effective way to supplement wild fish supplies and ensure affordable, sustainable options to maintain a healthy human diet. Tilapia is one of the most earth-friendly fish that can be farmed.
Tropical Sustainability Brochure(pdf version)
OUR SPECIAL ENVIRONMENT We strictly monitor our effluents and unique to our farming systems we utilize a mixture of fresh mountain stream and ocean water called ‘brackish’ water. This technique contributes to the signature taste of Tropical brand Tilapia, best described as succulent and sweet.
Environmental Stewardship
Social Responsibility
Food Safety
Traceability
We conserve and replenish natural resources such as water, wetlands, wildlife, and wild fisheries.
Our farms conduct monitoring of effluents according to Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) water quality criteria.
Almost 50% of our production capacity is in recirculation (closed systems).
We have a native tree replanting project which is an ongoing contribution to the local environment.
All of our nursery ponds are net-covered to deter predators.
We use very low amounts of fishmeal in our feed resulting in a fish in:fish out ratio of 0.24. This means that for every ton of wild whole fish caught, 4.16 tons of tilapia are produced. Our production actually makes a net contribution to global fish supplies.
Our farms are free of chemicals, pesticides and other contaminants. We maintain healthy and biologically suitable aquatic environments.
Our land-based farms are Polyculture (tilapia and shrimp) systems, which are considered friendlier to the environment, not only for more efficient use of space, but also contributing to a healthier environment within the ponds themselves.
We prevent escapes of our farmed fish to neighboring natural habitats by protecting all inlets and outlets with double screens which are diligently maintained.
We promote good animal husbandry practices.
Our land-based farms use very low stocking densities (1-1.5 fish per cubic meter), as a result, the animals are less crowded and therefore less exposed to diseases and other stress-related problems. For this reason, it is unnecessary for us to use antibiotics during the grow-out phase of production for disease treatment.
We invest in programs and practices to ensure the well being of our employees and neighboring communities.
Our farms, feed mills and processing plants directly employ over 5,000 people in areas of Latin America where there are typically few job opportunities.
With constant and specialized training for every employee we ensure a safe work environment while also promoting personal and professional growth.
We offer competitive wages, exceptional on-site healthcare services and comfortable on-site housing at our farms.
We’ve begun a pilot program with one local community in which they have access to a staff physician on a weekly basis.
Our education program is an investment in the future of the local community which covers the cost of teachers and building maintenance in schools helping children to finish primary school each year.
We have SQF Certification.
We have ISO 9000 and 14000 certifications.
All of our processing plants are in 100% compliance with HACCP guidelines.
Our Aquamar and Produmar plants recently received BAP certification and the remainder of our farms and plants will be BAP certified by 2010.
Our products are free of antibiotics, growth promoters, carbon monoxide and other potential contaminants.
Our products are 100% traceable.
Our system allows us to have complete knowledge and control over every single fish we produce. Our tilapia are monitored every step of the way – hatched, raised, harvested, processed and shipped under controlled lots which enable us to track each individual fish’s journey from its inception to your grocer. We have also incorporated transparency through the use of a third-party system, Trace Register.
BUT WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS REALLY MEAN? It means that throughout all of our processes, we are committed to conserving and responsibly utilizing the earth’s resources as well as investing in the local community now and for generations to come. Our products are not only guaranteed fresh, they’re guaranteed sustainable.
