Training Report: Aquatic sample collection, transportation and processing for AMR surveillance

Abstract

Effective aquatic sample collection, transportation, and laboratory processing are critical for generating high-quality, reliable, and comparable data for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in aquaculture, as inappropriate handling can compromise sample integrity and undermine surveillance outcomes. To strengthen national capacity for evidence-based AMR surveillance, technical staff from the Department of Fisheries (DOF) were trained on standardized field and laboratory protocols to support systematic sample collection, transportation, processing and enrichment for microbiological assessment. This hands-on training was arranged under the Fleming Fund Country Grant to Bangladesh (FFCGB), with technical and programmatic support from the SAAF AoW3 One Health program of WorldFish. The training represents a continuous and strategic effort by WorldFish’s Aquatic Animal Health and One Health (AAH and OH) programs to strengthen the capacity of competent authorities in Bangladesh, enabling them to lead, sustain, and scale up AMR surveillance in aquaculture under a One Health approach, and to generate robust evidence to inform policy, regulatory actions, and responsible antimicrobial use in the sector. This session (Part 1) formed part of a five-day, hands-on training program designed to comprehensively cover the key components of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in aquaculture. The training addressed multiple aspects of the surveillance process, including standardized aquatic sample collection, safe transportation, laboratory processing, quality assurance, and data integrity, with a strong emphasis on practical application to strengthen participants’ technical skills and operational readiness for field and laboratory implementation.