FAI has announced the launch of Tilapia Health Welfare Indicators, its latest online course giving vets, farmers and seafood supply chain professionals access to more expert training than ever before. Available through FAI’s training portal, FAI Academy, this free course completes a set of five welfare-focused modules forming the new Tilapia Welfare Training Programme.
According to FAI, through Tilapia Health Welfare Indicators, participants learn how to assess health indicators and why they matter. They will also understand the significance of common diseases in tilapia, the difference between fish health and welfare and how prioritising both reduces losses and improves productivity.
The course was developed with farmers and vets across South America, Africa and Asia, explained FAI’s E-learning and Aquaculture Programme Manager Dr Sara Barrento.
“We visited farms in several regions to include real-life examples and to check how important technical concepts could work for everyone.”
Also recognising the global nature of tilapia production and to make sure this essential learning reaches those set to benefit most, the course is available in six languages – English, Thai, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
The overarching Tilapia Welfare Training Programme provides a comprehensive and structured way to develop tilapia welfare expertise. It combines all FAI’s specialised online tilapia courses covering nutrition, behaviour, water quality and health:
- Tilapia Health Welfare Indicators
- Tilapia Behaviour and Welfare: from foraging to humane slaughter
- Tilapia Nutrition and Welfare
- Tilapia Welfare Indicators
- Tilapia Environment and Welfare: Water Quality
For those needing specific skills, courses can be taken and certified individually. It is currently available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai and Arabic, with Vietnamese available later in the year.
Barrento said: “We are delighted to offer such a range of courses, bringing every aspect of tilapia welfare, including environment, nutrition, behaviour, and health to those who influence fish well-being every day.
“Committed to improving the lives of farmed tilapia worldwide, we combine the latest science with practical skills to support both fish welfare and farmer success. By helping build more resilient and responsible farming businesses, our work contributes to better livelihoods and more sustainable food systems for all.”
A practical application of the learning, FAI’s Tilapia Welfare App enables users to assess and improve fish wellbeing using a simple scoring system based on the major health and welfare indicators.
