Aquaculture
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12348/2
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- In 2024, significant strides were made in advancing aquatic food systems that are climate-resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-sensitive. Through targeted innovation, scientific research, and strategic policy engagement, efforts supported communities in building resilience to climate-related shocks. The application of digital technologies, sustainable aquaculture practices, and co-management approaches contributed to improved livelihoods, while inclusive value chains and emerging technologies enhanced opportunities for women and youth. Nutrition-focused interventions further demonstrated the critical role of small fish and fish-derived products in addressing micronutrient deficiencies. Collectively, these developments highlight the growing importance of aquatic foods in global strategies for food security, public health, and climate adaptation.
- WorldFish has recently joined the Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health–South Asia (AMROH-SA) consortium—part of the Fleming Fund Regional Grants, a UK Department of Health and Social Care initiative—to help address the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture across Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. As a technical partner, WorldFish is contributing to the design of aquaculture-specific surveillance protocols for antimicrobial use (AMU) and resistance (AMR), delivering laboratory training, reinforcing One Health–oriented interpretation of surveillance data, and engaging aquaculture practitioners to promote responsible antimicrobial practices. These efforts aim to fortify sustainable aquatic food systems and inform evidence-based stewardship across the region.
- Development of the framework was undertaken in consultation with stakeholder representatives from SADC, particularly the SADC Regional Aquaculture Genetics Working Group, and the SADC member states via an online survey and a series of consultation meetings.
- Nigeria’s extensive coastline holds excellent potential for aquaculture but remains underutilized. This study examines stakeholders’ perspectives on the current status of coastal activities and their preferences for mariculture development in southwest Nigeria. The study gathered data from field observations, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with stakeholders from the six coastal Local Government Areas in Ondo, Ogun, and Lagos states, representing both the private and public sectors. Descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis were employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that coastal activities were limited to the culture of freshwater finfish, the wild recruitment of some brackish-water species, and artisanal fishing in the water bodies. Specifically, Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus were the most cultured fish by 100 % and 75 % of the respondents, respectively. The farming of marine finfish, shellfish, and seaweeds is lacking due to insufficient technical knowledge (x‾ = 3.84), limited access to fish seeds (x‾ = 3.86) and feeds (x‾ = 4.59), and the absence of extension (x‾ = 3.82) and credit services (x‾ = 4.55). Despite these challenges, stakeholders identified opportunities for mariculture development, including the availability of wild finfish fingerlings (86 %) and broodstocks (55 %), hatchery facilities for induced propagation (64 %), and adaptable fish feeds (68 %). The respondents would prefer farming in brackish waters (41 %) and tidal ponds (28 %) to offshore sea cage installation (10 %). The study suggests that mariculture development in Nigeria could be tailored towards brackish species due to the availability of technical expertise on some of these species, their popularity, and general acceptability.
- Inland aquaculture is becoming an important source of animal-based protein in many low- and middle-income countries of Asia. In several of these countries such as Bangladesh the inland aquaculture sector is dominated by small-scale producers that rely on unimproved production practices. However, the heterogeneity of these producers is not well understood, leading to assumptions of low variability in both the underlying characteristics of aquaculture production systems, as well as their sustainability performance. This in turn can lead to the ineffective design and implementation of interventions and policies for the sustainable intensification of the sector. This study explores the differentiated characteristics, sustainability performance and preferences among carp producers in Bangladesh. We focus on Bangladesh as it is the 5th largest inland aquaculture producer globally, with the sector contributing significantly to livelihoods and food security. We undertake comprehensive in person surveys with 4540 carp producers across 54 regions of the country. We use 18 production variables to develop a nuanced typology of carp production systems using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Clustering Approach (HCA). We then assess whether these production systems have significantly different sustainability performance across eight socioeconomic and environmental indicators. Finally, we elicit the preferences of producers for improved carp species through three choice experiments. Overall, we identify four major types of carp production systems, characterized by very different production characteristics, sustainability performance and preferences for improved fish species attributes. Collectively, our results provide a nuanced picture of the carp aquaculture sector in Bangladesh, which moves beyond simple binaries (e.g., commercial vs. subsistence; intensive vs. extensive; large-scale vs. small-scale). This information can inform the development and implementation of fit-for-purpose interventions for the sustainable intensification of the sector.
- decussatus) collected from the Suez Canal near Ismailia, Egypt. The focus was on seasonal variations in contamination levels and the associated health risks to the local population. Bivalve samples were analyzed across four seasons (2023–2024) to identify harmful microorganisms and trace metal concentrations. Naturally occurring bacteria were isolated and identified, revealing prevalent species such as Streptococcus faecalis, Aeromonas spp., and Vibrio spp. These bacterial strains were purified and evaluated for their pathogenic potential. Mortality experiments demonstrated that S. faecalis and Vibrio spp. exhibited high pathogenicity, while Aeromonas spp. showed moderate pathogenicity. In parallel, atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to measure the concentrations of heavy metals—Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Cd—in the bivalves’ soft tissues. The results showed that the annual mean concentrations of Fe, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn exceeded FAO/WHO safety thresholds, particularly in winter, raising serious concerns regarding seafood safety. Overall, the findings highlight that bivalves function effectively as bioindicators of environmental contamination and underscore the need for strengthened monitoring and regulatory measures in the region to protect public health.
- This report provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders seeking to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the aquatic food sector in Southern Africa. The report highlights the importance of targeted capacity-building programs in addressing the specific needs of SMEs to enhance their capacity to deliver nutrient dense aquatic foods to address household food and nutritional insecurity and in turn promote sustainable development in the region.
- This logbook is produced as a part of center for renewable energy in aquaculture (CeREA), a 4-year groundbreaking intiative funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Cairo. It offers comprehensive, step-by-step guidance for the project’s piloted innovations and is intended for beneficiaries of women fish retailers and vendors—to systematically collect periodic data. The logbook facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of the performance of solar-powered coolers by tracking key operational parameters and documenting challenges, thereby ensuring consistent, practical, and actionable scaling plans over time.
- This logbook is produced as a part of center for renewable energy in aquaculture (CeREA), a 4-year groundbreaking intiative funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Cairo. It offers comprehensive, step-by-step guidance for the project’s piloted innovations and is intended for beneficiaries—including hatchery owners and producers—to systematically collect periodic data. The logbook facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of fish hatchery performance by tracking key operational parameters and documenting challenges, thereby ensuring consistent, practical, and actionable scaling plans over time.
- This logbook is produced as a part of center for renewable energy in aquaculture (CeREA), a 4-year groundbreaking intiative funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Cairo. It offers comprehensive, step-by-step guidance for the project’s piloted innovations and is intended for beneficiaries—including farm owners and farmers and producers—to systematically collect periodic data. The logbook facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of fish farms performance by tracking key operational parameters and documenting challenges, thereby ensuring consistent, practical, and actionable scaling plans over time.
- This report documents the coaching and mentoring support provided to Toda Raba Private Limited (a bundle partner under the AICCRA project) by WorldFish. Toda Raba Private Limited is a scaling partner under Bundle 2: Promoting integrated aquaculture agriculture systems through the dissemination of CIS and production of high-value fingerlings and farmed fish.
- WorldFish has been operating in Egypt since 1997, when it established a regional office to support its fisheries and aquaculture activities across Africa and West Asia. In addition to its office in Cairo, this included the renovation—supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)—of part of Egypt’s largest aquaculture research facility in Abbassa, located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Cairo. While most of the Abbassa station remains under the control of the Central Laboratory for Aquaculture Research (CLAR), WorldFish continues to manage around 50 hectares of ponds, offices, and laboratories, and also operates a training center at the site.
- As part of the project’s inception in Solomon Islands, the purpose of this scoping report is to provide background information on the aquaculture sector in the country and adapt the project’s objectives and activities to this context. The objective of the report is to provide a general description of existing aquaculture activities, such as species, the farming systems and distribution of aquaculture activities, along with their history, evolution and trajectory, where known. A key focus is to understand what people are currently doing and what has been attempted in the past—not focusing solely on aspirational statements in policy documents, about the potential of aquaculture. This scoping review will provide a basis to inform the NbA research project.
- In Timor-Leste, WorldFish works with the government, development partners, communities, fishers, farmers and private enterprises to research and test effective approaches for increasing the sustainable production of aquatic foods and improving access to their nutrients for those who need them most. This document provides a comprehensive overview of WorldFish's activities, contributions, and impact in Timor-Leste, focusing on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development to address food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.
- At the end of Year 2 of Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS), the project has progressed aquatic food solutions—driving innovation, fostering South–South collaboration and setting the stage for further impact. Highlights include a side-event at Ocean Innovation Africa 2025, working to advance aquatic food solutions in five target countries, and translating a wealth of resources into local languages.
- This brief zooms in on the opportunities and challenges of seaweed farming in Timor-Leste. Initiated as a follow-up to the WorldFish organized National Seaweed Workshop in Dili in late June 2024, the brief also reports on our ongoing seaweed-related fieldwork, activities and research.
- Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) poses a significant threat to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) aquaculture, causing severe streptococcosis characterised by high mortality and economic losses. This study elucidates the pathogenesis of S. agalactiae through an integrated diagnostic approach and evaluates bacteriophage therapy as a sustainable alternative to antibiotic treatments. Clinical signs in infected tilapia, including erratic swimming, exophthalmia, and haemorrhagic lesions, were accompanied by systemic postmortem findings such as hepatosplenomegaly and ascitic fluid accumulation. Comprehensive identification of S. agalactiae isolates from pond water and diseased fish was achieved using morphological, biochemical, serological, and molecular techniques, confirming its role as the causative agent. Concurrently, three bacteriophages (STRA1, STRA2, STRA3) were isolated from aquaculture ponds and characterised by their lytic efficacy, host specificity, and environmental stability. These phages exhibited tailed morphologies, high lytic activity (up to 83.3% against S. agalactiae), and resilience under pond-like conditions (pH 4.0–10.0, 28°C–50°C), with STRA1 demonstrating efficacy against multidrug-resistant strains. In vitro assays revealed significant bacterial load reductions (e.g., STRA3: 1.03 × 106 CFU/mL vs. control: 6.13 × 106 CFU/mL at 72 h), though resistant mutants emerged at low frequencies (8.11–8.40 × 10−4). Suboptimal water quality parameters, including low dissolved oxygen (3.6 mg/L) and elevated iron (1321 μg/L), likely exacerbated infection severity. These findings underscore S. agalactiae's pathogenicity and position bacteriophage therapy as a promising, eco-friendly biocontrol strategy, warranting further in vivo validation to optimise its application in tilapia aquaculture.
- The present study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with ethanolic extracts of Ulva sp. and garlic (Allium sativum) on the growth performance, muscle composition, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A60-day feeding trial was conducted using seven experimental diets, including a control and diets supplemented with varying concentrations of Ulva sp. extract (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg) and garlic extract (2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 g/kg). Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolics in Ulva sp. and alkaloids, saponins and phenolic acids in garlic extract. Shrimp fed Ulva sp. extract showed significant improvements in crude protein content, essential amino acid composition and digestive enzyme activity, particularly protease and lipase activities, suggesting enhanced nutrient utilisation. Conversely, garlic extract supplementation resulted in increased fat content, indicating increased fat deposition, alongside a marked upregulation ofimmune-related genes, including Penaeidin3, Penaeidin4, HSP70 and proPO, highlighting its immunostimulatory potential. The combined findings suggest that Ulva sp. extract optimally enhances protein deposition and digestive efficiency, whereas garlic extract strengthens immune responses, making both promising functional feed additives for sustainable shrimp aquaculture. Future research should explore their synergistic effects and long-term benefits in commercial farming applications.
- The present research evaluated the value of adding 3, 5, and 7g of a probiotic mixture of Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bacillus subtilis/kg fish feed on the physiological status and fish health of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total of 120 Nile tilapia fish were divided into four equal groups fed on pellets containing different ratios of the probiotic mixture for three months. After the experimental period, the whole body compositions (fats, protein, and ash content) of tilapia were affected significantly in all groups (P≤ 0.05). The immunological parameters, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and lysozyme activities significantly increased in all treated groups. The results showed significant hematological parameters [Hematocrit (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte counts (RBC), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)] and significant biochemical blood parameters [glucose, albumin, protein, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] measured in serum after the experimental period. The number of Vibrio sp. isolated from the internal organs of experimental fish (muscles and liver) every month for three months was lower significantly in all treated groups than in the control. The relative level of protection (RLP) among the three treated groups after infection-challenge with Vibrio harveyi (0.1ml of culture suspension of pathogen containing 108 bacteria ml-1) was higher than in the control, and the highest record was in the fourth group. The present research results support the use of a mix of Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bacillus subtilis at a rate of 7g/ kg standard fish diets supplementation as immunostimulants in common fish diets.
- Small indigenous fish species, such as mola carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola), play a crucial role in the diets of fish-dependent populations in India due to their rich micronutrient content. Recognized as a key species for promoting nutrition-sensitive aquaculture, mola has recently been successfully bred in hatcheries using standardized induced breeding and mass seed production protocols. This study assesses the economic viability of integrating mola seed production into an existing carp hatchery in Odisha, India. A comprehensive financial analysis, including cost-return assessment, bankability, economic performance, break-even analysis, and sensitivity testing, was conducted. The proposed model has a production capacity of 1 million seeds per cycle, with 24 cycles annually. The total investment required is INR 4,12,932 ($4,975), comprising capital expenses of INR 2,56,650 ($3,092) and annual operational costs of INR 1,56,282 ($1,883) considering loan component. The business model demonstrates strong profitability, with an operational profit margin of 53.57% at a selling price of INR 1,000 ($12) per 100,000 hatchlings. The break-even point is achieved at 17 production cycles per year and INR 885 ($10) of per unit of seeds price. Financial indicators confirm high viability, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.67, a net present value of INR 2,28,233 ($2,750), and an internal rate of return of 32.94%. The model is also bankable, evidenced by a debt service coverage ratio of 1.63, and remains profitable under various sensitivity scenarios. These findings highlight the potential for integrating mola seed production into existing carp hatcheries, offering a scalable and sustainable approach to strengthening small indigenous fish farming and advancing nutrition-sensitive aquaculture in India.