Nile perch

Nile perch, Lates niloticus, is a giant predatory freshwater fish of Central African lakes and rivers, and one of the region’s most valuable food fishes. Around Lake Victoria it supports a major export industry: fresh and frozen fillets travel from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to buyers in Europe, Israel, and the United States. The firm, white, mild-flavoured flesh suits frying, grilling, and curries. Food-safety control focuses on rapid chilling to check spoilage and parasites, hygienic processing plants, and compliance with import requirements on traceability, veterinary residues, and contaminants such as heavy metals, which export inspectors verify consignment by consignment.