Lots of invasive species in and around Fl and most of them harm the viability of native species. I would guess some of those Tilapia came from aquaculture operations that after figuring feeding costs vs what they could sell the fish for decided they needed to get rid of a bunch of fish. What's worse is that people mostly universities and other sources usually with some kind of public funding are still trying to talk people into aquaponics and raising Tilapia. About the only way I've figured to maybe make money selling the fish from an aquaponic operation is to raise Koi, Goldfish, Orfes or some other "Pond Fish" to sell to the that have Backyard Ponds. Those species bring good money or at least they do now until more growers figure out they can actually make money selling them and flood the market.
