All tilapia fish consumed in the country are imported and there is no breeding of tilapia in any fish farm, Amrollah Ghajari, an official at the Veterinary Organization says.
At present, tilapia is imported and supplied by the Veterinary Quarantine Bureau.
Tilapia is not a native fish, so its imports, breeding and rearing must be permitted by the Department of Environment (DoE). So far, DoE has not granted permission for breeding of the fish, he said quoted by IRNA.
Tilapia, due to its quick breeding rate can occupy much of the water habitats quickly. Therefore the species can eliminate other native species of fish and aquatic life, causing harm to biodiversity.
