Ethical Seafood Research, in partnership with UK-based FAI Farms, is leading a groundbreaking study to improve farmed Nile tilapia welfare in Kenya. This project, funded by WTS, will evaluate the use of the FAI Tilapia Welfare App as a practical tool for assessing and improving fish welfare in local aquaculture systems.

Tilapia farming is a vital and rapidly growing sector in Kenya that provides food security and livelihoods to thousands. However, challenges such as poor record-keeping, minimal water quality monitoring and the absence of structured health and welfare assessments affect fish wellbeing and farm productivity. Our research aims to bridge this gap by introducing a science-based, digital approach to monitoring animal welfare in aquaculture. 

The study will involve up to 100 tilapia farms, including both pond and cage systems, across key production regions. Twenty aquaculture practitioners will be trained to conduct systematic welfare assessments using the app over an entire production cycle. Data collected will provide insights into welfare trends, management practices and environmental factors affecting farmed fish. Over 12 months, we will assess the app’s usability, analyse welfare outcomes, and engage with farmers to ensure practical adoption. 

This project builds on the success of the Tilapia Welfare Egypt project, where the FAI App has been successfully integrated into over 1000 commercial farms to enhance welfare monitoring. In Egypt, the App enabled farmers to track key welfare indicators such as water quality, stocking density, and fish health, leading to improved survival rates and productivity. Applying lessons learned from Egypt, this study will test the app’s adaptability to Kenyan conditions, refining its usability for local farmers. 

By empowering farmers with real-time welfare data, this initiative supports better farming decisions, reduces stress-related losses and promotes ethical production standards in Kenyan aquaculture. The project’s outcomes will serve as a model for digital-driven fish welfare improvements across Africa. 

For updates on this research, visit the ESR website and LinkedIn.