They have it in one of their "fact sheets" that even if processed in Australia in accordance with the regulations for import / export, they cannot be eaten in Qld...They must be imported from overseas.

Carp is a little different. I don't think tilapia were introduced as food. Where as carp were.

Carp is the most eaten fish in the world. In the early to mid 1800's carp was farmed in northern Victoria. 200 years ago they didn't know about how the Murray floods. The water for the farm came from the Murray River. It flooded and they lost the farms.

People from all over Australia flocked to Vic to get the carp and take them home. Until recently almost all councils even had instruction sheets on how to grow carp.

Interestingly, that is the reason they give for banning eating of tilapia...They say if people can eat them, then they will collect them. People will take them home and grow them in dams and creeks.

That is totally flawed and makes no sense. If people were going to put them in dams, they will regardless of the law. Plus it would take away the whole adventure of going fishing for them.

Redfin for example (English perch). A pest fish and excellent eating. No one is taking them home to put in dams. In fact it is a specilised target. Easy to catch. But if you want there are custom made rods and reels specifically for redfin. People spends $1,000's on lures and gear just to target redfin.

Tell people they can eat tilapia and the same thing will happen...People will target them and a whole little industry will be born.