NST carries report on risks posed by tilapia

Kudoes to the New Straits Times for carrying a report on the GIFT tilapia that the Worldfish Center in Penang is trying to promote. The NST report is an example of the type of report that is needed to highlight the threat posed by farmed tilapia towards natural fish stocks in Malaysia (see our diary entry for April 21).

Here is an extract from the NST report:


Fishermen not in favour of new tilapia species
Audrey Dermawan

PENANG, Apr 27:
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Scientists call it the “wonder” fish, but local inland fishermen here are concerned it will annihilate local freshwater fish species if it finds its way into streams or rivers.

The fish in question is a hardier breed of the common tilapia, named GIFT tilapia, after the technology — Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia — being used to develop it.

Described as disease-resistant and fast-growing, GIFT tilapia is being developed at the WorldFish Centre, an international reserach institute for fisheries and other aquatic resources, in Batu Maung here.

Penang Inshore Fishermen's Welfare Association (PIFWA) adviser P. Balan said most of the State's 6,000 inshore and coastal fishermen were against the centre's plan to introduce the new tilapia breed, expected next year.

"Based on our findings, the new tilapia breed is more carnivorous than the common tilapias and it will destroy local freshwater fish if ever it finds its way into streams or rivers.

"Introducing the new tilapia breed is as good as inviting trouble since it can annihilate our local freshwater fish population," he said when commenting on news reports that the centre would introduce GIFT tilapia in Malaysia.

He said the common red and black tilapia were already overpopulating the country's river system and affecting the survival of other local freshwater fish population. ...


We need more of these kinds of stories - stories that take a more critical look at biotechnology and the controversial issues surrounding genetic tinkering and genetic engineering/modification.