Photo: EMBRAPA /FIS

Embrapa Leads Groundbreaking Research to Slash GHG Emissions in Tilapia Farming

BRAZIL
Thursday, July 03, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

National study seeks to improve feed and waste management, significantly reducing the sector's carbon footprint.

DOURADOS, MS – In a significant move to combat global climate change, Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste (MS), in collaboration with the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), is spearheading a national study aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Brazilian aquaculture. Initially focusing on tilapia farming, which accounts for 65% of national aquaculture production, the research seeks to enhance feed formulation and optimize waste management, ultimately shrinking the sector's carbon footprint.

"Our main objective is to boost tilapia feeding efficiency, minimizing leftover feed, feces, and carcasses that accumulate in water and sediments," explained Researcher Tarcila Souza de Castro Silva from Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste. She highlighted that studies indicate only 20% to 60% of feed's organic matter and nutrients are converted into fish biomass, with the majority becoming waste that contributes significantly to GHG emissions.

Luis Antonio Kioshi Aoki, also an Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste researcher, emphasized that key expected outcomes include reducing direct environmental impacts of GHG emissions, optimizing fish feed, and finding ways to reuse generated waste. "Reducing the environmental footprint is considered essential for Brazilian producers to compete in international markets with strict environmental standards," Aoki stated, underscoring their commitment to achieving these results.

Scientists underscore the critical link between fish nutrition and GHG emissions. "Fish food represents the largest contribution of organic matter and nutrients to aquaculture environments," Silva elaborated. "A smaller part of these are removed from the systems through fish harvesting. The rest of these materials aren't always removable, which can represent the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions."

The current research is analyzing gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Silva confirmed, "The greater the volume of leftovers, feces, and carcasses in the water, the greater the emission of gases, especially methane. Therefore, we're dedicated to optimizing fish feed with ingredients and formulations that meet their needs, improve performance, and reduce waste in the water." She noted that initial steps involve analyzing each ingredient's impact on GHG generation. Previous studies revealed that each ton of tilapia produced generates 320 kg of solid waste, which "we need to reduce... as excess feces in the water can harm the activity's sustainability."

Monitoring of water quality and greenhouse gases in an effluent lagoon. (Photo: EMBRAPA)

Simultaneously, the team is exploring solutions for excess waste. Researcher Inoue (likely the full name is Luis Antonio Kioshi Aoki, but referred to as Inoue earlier) reported that Embrapa's Fish Farming Laboratory is actively seeking methods to collect and reuse fish waste, particularly from intensive production systems like elevated tanks. The goal is to provide information for utilizing these residues in producing bioinputs or biogas. "Good management practices are fundamental for aquaculture, especially in reducing environmental impacts, including GHG emissions," Inoue stressed. "Adopting strategies like appropriate feeding, frequent water quality monitoring, and effective effluent management are essential to minimize these impacts and promote sustainability."

Researcher Laurindo André Rodrigues highlighted the research's direct alignment with the MS Carbon Neutral State Plan, which aims to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions in Mato Grosso do Sul by 2030. The state's commitment to agricultural practices that reduce GHGs makes this aquaculture research a vital contribution to state goals.

This critical research is being conducted by Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, leveraging infrastructure financed by the BRS Aqua Project. It receives financial backing from the State Government through two approved calls (Fundect Call 18/2021 MS Carbon Neutral and 08/2024 Climate Change), focusing on "Strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from recycling and adding value to fish farming waste" and "GHG measurement methods and model for estimating water temperature as a function of air temperature as strategies for mitigating GHG emissions in fish production."

Additionally, a third research project, supported by the Federal Government via the CNPq Universal Notice, is underway, titled "Influence of different protein and energy sources in tilapia feed on digestibility, characterization of residues and emission of greenhouse gases."

<-- Photo: Sediments and/ or feces of fish collected in a settling pond, in the initial decantation process, for later stages of the research. Credit: Luis Inoue

This multi-institutional effort involves researchers from Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste (Dourados/MS), Embrapa Meio Ambiente (Jaguariúna/SP), Embrapa Agricultura Digital (Campinas/SP), and Embrapa Pesca e Aquacultura (Palmas/TO), alongside professors and students from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), and Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD).

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