Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most farmed fish globally, with a significant contribution improving local livelihoods, especially in developing countries. Nile tilapia was first cultured in Kenya in 1924 and is the most cultured fish species. Annually, O. niloticus accounts for 62% (∼15,000 tonnes) of total aquaculture production. Although O. niloticus is the most preferred cultured fish, its culture faces challenges, for example, early maturation due to prolific breeding behaviour leading to stunted growth that limits its culture and profitability among smallholder farmers. With the surging demand for locally farmed fish, innovative technologies have emerged to boost aquaculture production. Donor and public research‐funded projects, for instance, the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project, are validating various aquaculture technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs) to achieve ‘triple wins’ of increased fish production, improved resilience and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)‐funded Aquaculture Business Development Programme aims at commercialising aquaculture to improve local livelihoods. In this study, we adopt a scoping review methodology to review and synthesise published literature on tilapia culture in Kenya to explore current and emerging tilapia production technologies and document their socio‐economic impacts on farmers’ livelihoods. These emerging innovative technologies range from culture systems, for example, biofloc, periphyton, fingerpond technology, integrated aquaculture, breeding and genetics (selective breeding), fish health and biosecurity measures, to post‐harvest loss reduction, value addition and marketing. The study findings reveal that the technologies have great potential to increase tilapia production and profitability and positively impact the local livelihoods of smallholder fish farmers through employment creation, economic growth and better nutrition.

Aquaculture is the world's fastest‐growing food‐producing sector, making it a significant contributor to food and nutrition security for the globally growing human population. Nevertheless, its long‐term growth is limited by the effects of climate change. Aquaculture in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), which is dominated by small‐scale fish farming, is increasingly threatened by climate change, which has a substantial influence on its productivity and scalability. In this context, the present research looks at the socio‐economic consequences of climate change on small‐scale fish producers in SSA, as well as potential adaptation techniques to the effects of climate change. A clear understanding of these socio‐economic repercussions of climate change is critical for developing effective strategies to reduce future impacts and safeguard aquaculture‐based livelihoods. Furthermore, understanding the socio‐economic consequences of climate change on communities dependent on aquaculture is important for advising policymakers and decision‐makers on formulating and implementing policies that sustain aquaculture production amidst the climate change crisis. This article suggests various adaptation strategies to increase resilience to climate change, including diversification of livelihoods and species, use and incorporation of local and indigenous knowledge, shifting to aquaculture species less vulnerable to changing climatic conditions, capacity building through aquaculture insurance schemes, continued fish supply from capture fisheries, and consolidation of equity and human rights concerns. These adaptive methods, when combined, have the potential to enhance outcomes for populations who are more susceptible owing to their unstable socio‐economic conditions.

Authors rely on a range of devices and techniques to attract and maintain the interest of readers, and to convince them of the merits of the author’s point of view. However, when writing a scientific article, authors must use these ‘persuasive communication devices’ carefully. In particular, they must be explicit about the limitations of their work, avoid obfuscation, and resist the temptation to oversell their results. Here we discuss a list of persuasive communication devices and we encourage authors, as well as reviewers and editors, to think carefully about their use.

Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus is now the most abundant and commercially important tilapiine in Lake Victoria. From the total of 1 512 fish sampled from commercial gill net fisheries during 2014 and 2015, 809 (54%) were males and 672 (44%) were females, giving an overall sex ratio of 1.20 males: 1.00 females. The mean (± SE) length and weight for all fish were 28.7 (±0.1) cm TL and 506.6 (±7.1) g, respectively. The slope b of the length-weight relationship was 2.98, 3.01 3.01, for males, females, and combined sexes, respectively. The relative condition factor was 1.02 for males and 1.04 for females with little variation across the months of sampling. The length at 50% maturity was estimated as 31.0 cm TL for male Nile tilapia and 26.0 cm TL for females. Sixty percent of the fish in the commercial catches surveyed were below 30 cm TL. Comparisons with earlier studies in this system suggest an overall decline in size at maturity over the past 30 years, which may reflect intense fishing pressure.