Tilapia Makes a Difference in Panama Mountains

Tilapia farms are beginning to thrive in the mountainous regions of Capira, as are the communities that are aquaculturing the fish, La Prensa reports.

Production, backed by Panama’s Aquatic Resources Authority, started in 2009.  Now, just a year later, various communities have moved into commercial production and the establishment of packing plants is even being studied.  Part of the project is to show farmers that they need not solely depend on agriculture.

Bernard Jaramilo, the authority’s director, said tilapia was selected because it is a passive species that is easy to feed and reproduces quickly.

In somewhat related news, a 2008 Wake Forest University School of Medicine study found that tilapia has higher levels of potentially detrimental long-chain omega-6 fatty acids than lean hamburger, doughnuts or bacon.

Fresh Tilapia