Aquaculture consultancy and training organisation FAI Farms has launched a new digital platform designed to help supply chain professionals integrate fish welfare into commercial tilapia production.
FAI says the Tilapia Hub brings together its welfare expertise and training programmes into a single accessible online resource aimed at farmers, producers and aquaculture businesses worldwide.
“We are already influencing thousands of tilapia farmers worldwide,” said Sara Barrento, e-learning and aquaculture programme manager at FAI.
“The Tilapia Hub accelerates this progress by translating our global welfare programme into a user-friendly digital platform.”
Tilapia is among the world’s most widely farmed fish species, with global production second only to carp and expected to reach nine million tonnes by 2030. As demand grows for the affordable and versatile protein source, industry stakeholders are facing increasing pressure from retailers, regulators and consumers to demonstrate high welfare standards across production systems.
READ MORE: FAI scales up training to boost tilapia welfare
Available in Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Arabic and English, the platform combines training modules, in-person learning opportunities and welfare assessment tools. These include the Tilapia Welfare App, which enables producers to measure and monitor welfare conditions on farms.
The platform also helps companies prepare for certification schemes run by organisations such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and the Global Seafood Alliance.
“Importantly, the hub not only provides the training and assessment tools producers need but also supports them to prepare for certification,” Barrento added. “This enables companies to gain recognition for their commitment to high welfare standards.”
Farmers using the platform can earn two welfare badges recognising progress. The ‘welfare-trained’ badge is awarded after completing FAI’s foundation course and committing to welfare assessments, while the ‘welfare-assessed’ badge follows successful implementation and independent evaluation.
Maria Delphino of GenoMar Genetics said the initiative supports broader sustainability goals. “By combining genetics with welfare practices, we are helping farmers achieve stronger performance while upholding standards that benefit both the animals and the industry,” she said.
