Mapping for Conservation of Native Tilapia Resources in East Africa

Unique tilapia...

East Africa is the major hotspot for diversity of native Oreochromis, the genus that dominates the $5b+ global tilapia farming industry.  These unique populations may contain genes for disease resistance, environmental tolerances valuable for improvement of farmed tilapia strains.  However, they are threatened by invasive strains stocked from fish farms which often outcompete native tilapia strains or genetically swap them through hybridization. 

Invasive species...

Recent surveys have indicated that non-native tilapia species are now present in many water bodies. Introduced non-native species can threaten native species through competition, hybridisation, or passing on disease, but assessing or ameliorating the threat has been hampered by correctly identifying the species.

TilapiaMap Project...

Therefore, it is the aim of this project to identify remaining populations of native tilapias in Kenya and Tanzania, map distribution of introduced and invasive species.  Data collected during the TilapiaMap project can be accessed free of charge for search and download via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.  If are interested in getting involved and you would like more information or have East African cichlid data you would like to share contact Professor George Turner.

TilapiaMap on Facebook...

There is also a project Facebook page, which provides a forum to discuss tilapia management, invasive species biology, as well as provide help with species identification. Please join the Facebook page to join in the discussion.

Open access data...

Data collected from the project (photographs and records of tilapia specie distributions) are available in open access global repositories (GBIF) . We hope that the availability of detailed distribution records will assist with research-informed policy decisions, and be of use to fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders across East Africa. Please contact Professor George Turner if you have any queries on accessing or submitting data.

Our funders ...

This project was funded by JRS Biodiversity Foundation.  The mission of the foundation is to enhance knowledge and promote the understanding of biological diversity for the benefit and sustainability of life on earth.  More information about the organisation may be found here.