Tilapia is fast becoming the backbone of African aquaculture, and Kenya is poised for rapid growth. A recent FAI Farms article highlighting Ethical Seafood Research’s (ESR) work in Kenya makes clear there’s a pivotal moment now to shape how that growth happens. If we act early, we can embed fish welfare, sustainability, and farmer empowerment before rigid infrastructure and habits set in.
Why this matters now
Kenya projects a 44% increase in tilapia production. That scale-up is an opportunity to build systems that are ethical, environmentally sound, and economically resilient from the start.
“If tilapia is becoming the backbone of African aquaculture, it’s essential we ensure the systems behind it are sustainable from an ethical, environmental and economic standpoint.” — Øistein Thorsen, CEO, FAI.
What ESR and partners are doing
- On-the-ground training in Kenya focused on practical, context-appropriate welfare practices for small-scale farmers.
- The Tilapia Welfare App: an easy mobile tool that lets farmers monitor fish health, collect data and make timely management decisions.
- Data-driven approach: continual monitoring feeds evidence-based welfare guidelines tailored for Kenya’s aquaculture sector.
Our approach: empowerment, not prescription
“When we talk about improving fish welfare, we’re not just talking about ethics, we’re talking about better farm performance and stronger food systems.” — Wasseem Emam, Founder & Director, ESR.
ESR believes in the importance of local ownership of fish welfare. The desire to improve must come from the farmers themselves if we want long-term, sustainable change. This is why:
- We recruit and train local graduates and trainers who understand the African context, recognizing there is no one-size-fits-all model.
- Training is framed positively: practical, non-judgmental, and aimed at mutual benefit for farmers and fish.
- The emphasis is on continuous monitoring and adaptive practices so improvements stick as the sector grows.
“When you empower farmers, the results can be transformative.” — John Nyambane, a PhD student at the University of Nairobi
Farmers trained by ESR report improved fish survival and growth rates, and greater confidence in management decisions.
What’s needed next
We have proven that our model works. Now, we must expand training across Kenya, while farm systems and infrastructure remain flexible. We plan on doing so by:
- Scaling continuous monitoring through the Tilapia Welfare App to build the data needed for national guidelines.
- Recruiting and supporting more graduates and local trainers to sustain and localize capacity.
How you can help
Today, we are building interest around the importance of our work. Here are two things you can do to support our work:
- Subscribe to our e-newsletter for exclusive content directly to your mailbox!
- Share this newsletter on LinkedIn to spread the word
Remember, if we get in early, we can shape a future where tilapia farming supports livelihoods, food security and animal welfare together. Join us in making that future possible.
With thanks,
The ESR Team
