Two additional fish farms, Millenia Farm and Grand Pacific Fishery, have joined pioneer Heng Heng Fish Farm in producing marine tilapia, a resilient and fast-growing food fish. Employing sustainable farming methods such as using food pellets instead of expired bread and farming the fish in saltwater, these farms aim to improve the palatability of tilapia. The move is part of a national effort to transform Singapore’s aquaculture sector into one that is productive, climate-resilient, and resource-efficient, with a focus on growing more with less.
The three farms have adopted more sustainable practices outlined in the Good Aquaculture Practice for Fish Farming (GAP-FF), established by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to ensure safe and quality fish farming. By switching to pellet food, which is more environmentally friendly than expired bread, the farms aim to reduce pollution in the saltwater environment and improve the overall health of the fish. This initiative is aligned with Singapore’s goal of producing at least 30% of its food needs locally by 2030, with a particular emphasis on increasing seafood production.
Safef, the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation, plays a crucial role in coordinating and planning the production and supply of tilapia from the three farms. They work closely with the farmers to ensure adherence to safety and nutrition standards while also collaborating with Temasek Polytechnic’s Aquaculture Innovation Centre (AIC) to develop farming protocols and conduct feeding trials for marine tilapia. The tilapia, branded under The Straits Fish, undergoes processing by distributor Hai Sia Seafood and cooking by food service provider Chang Cheng Holdings, which aims to add value to the fish by introducing new flavors and culinary innovations.
(Source: The Straits Times)
