Miami, Florida, U.S.A.-based tilapia genetics company Spring Genetics has teamed up with Oxford, U.K.-based animal welfare data consultancy firm Food Animal Initiative (FAI) to promote tilapia welfare.
As challenges facing the tilapia industry mount, including disease and climate change, the partnership will aim to support sustainable aquaculture practices, particularly in North America, Central America, and South America.
“I’ve long admired FAI’s work, and by partnering with them, we aim to enhance tilapia welfare across our breeding sites and among our clients,” Spring Genetics CEO and Co-Owner Hideyoshi Segovia-Uno said in a release. “Welfare is crucial to improving fish performance, alongside genetics, nutrition, and health management. FAI's expertise and user-friendly tools will greatly benefit our work in the industry and help us improve animal welfare with greater ease and efficiency.”
Spring Genetics works to breed tilapia with genetic traits that increase productivity and sustainability for farmers, and the new partnership will allow the Spring Genetics team to receive welfare-focused training from experts, as well as use FAI’s Tilapia Welfare app, which includes important information on essential metrics.
FAI’s aquaculture program aims to educate and empower farmers to improve welfare and achieve better production outcomes in tilapia, shrimp, and carp aquaculture. Founded in 2001, the organization began as an Oxford University project; in the last two decades, however, it has grown into a global consultancy firm with expertise in animal welfare across numerous sectors.
“This partnership will facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration across the industry, paving the way for improvement in aquaculture practices,” FAI Director Murilo Quintiliano said. “In time, we will extend our collaborative efforts into Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America, complementing existing activities in Brazil and beyond.”
