ENHANCING WELFARE AND PERFORMANCE OF LUMPFISH IN AQUACULTURE VOLUME 56, NUMBER 3 THE MAGAZINE OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 2025 W RLD AQUACULTURE
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2025 1 WORLD AQUACULTURE MAGAZINE WORLD AQUACULTURE magazine is published by the World Aquaculture Society. The home office address is: World Aquaculture Society, PO Box 397, Sorrento LA 70778-0397 USA. P and F: +1-225-347-5408; Email: JudyA@was.org World Aquaculture Society Home Page: www.was.org WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY OFFICERS, 2025-26 Wendy Sealey, President David Cline, Immediate Past President Foluke Areola, President-Elect Matt Parker, Treasurer Angela Caporelli, Secretary DIRECTORS Shivaun Leonard Yahira Piedrahita Catriona Macleod Brian Small Kathleen Hartman Russell Grice Benter Anyango, Student Director CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES Khalid Salie, African Bibha Kumari, Asian Pacific Han-kyu Lim, Korean Luis Andrés Gonzalez-Agraz, Latin America and Caribbean Michelle Walsh, USAS HOME OFFICE STAFF Judy Edwards Andrasko, Director, JudyA@was.org Killian A. Haydel, Assistant Director, killianh@was.org WORLD AQUACULTURE EDITORIAL STAFF C. Greg Lutz, Editor-in-Chief Cecilia C. Nichols, Editorial Assistant Linda Noble, Layout Editor WAS CONFERENCES AND SALES John Cooksey, Executive Director of Conferences and Sales World Aquaculture Conference Management P.O. Box 2302, Valley Center, CA 92082 P: +1-760-751-5005; F: +1-760-751-5003 Email: worldaqua@was.org MANUSCRIPTS AND CORRESPONDENCE Submit manuscripts as Microsoft Word files to C. Greg Lutz at glutz@agcenter.lsu.edu. Letters to the Editor or other comments should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief at glutz@agcenter.lsu.edu. WORLD AQUACULTURE (ISSN 1041-5602), is published quarterly by the World Aquaculture Society, 6203 Jonathan Alaric Avenue, Gonzales, LA 70737 USA. Individual subscriptions are a benefit of membership in the World Aquaculture Society. Annual membership dues: Students, $45; Individuals, $90; Corporations, $295; Sustaining, $155 (individuals or non-profits); Lifetime (individuals) $1,400. ©2025, The World Aquaculture Society. W RLD AQUACULTURE VOL. 56 NO. 3 SEPTEMBER 2025 14 Record-breaking attendance figures at the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 in Uganda highlight the growing popularity of the World Aquaculture Society’s Conferences in Africa 16 Congratulations to President-Elect Foluke Areola Catriona K. Macleod 18 The Journal of the World Aquaculture Society Editor’s Choice Awards 56(3) 21 Student Spotlight: Abdulmalik Oladipupo Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences Reprinted from the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society 22 Youth Engagement in Aquaculture: Building the Next Generation of Blue Food Leaders in the Caribbean Juli-Anne Russo 25 Native No More? The Catfish Dilemma in the Philippines Alexis Faye A. Olarte, James Darren R. Pelaez and Janice A. Ragaza 32 Utilizing Wild Lumpfish Insights to Enhance Welfare and Performance of Lumpfish in Aquaculture Sandra Ljósá Østerø and Kirstin Eliasen 36 ZiD-AI: A Mobile-based AI Tool for the Automatic Morphometric and Behavioral Analysis of Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Madhav Karthikeyan 42 From Bait to Breakthrough: How Polychaetes are Revolutionizing Philippine Aquaculture Irnes Rebien H. Bailon, Rochelle A. Jabines and Janice A. Ragaza 48 First Report on Successful Breeding of Indigenous Dwarf Chameleon Fish Badis blosyrus in Captive Condition Niti Sharma, Suman Kumari, Sona Yengkokpam, B. C. Roy and Basanta Kumar Das 52 The Resilient Journey of Ukraine’s Sturgeon Farmers How War, Ecological Disasters and Human Error Shaped the Survival Story of Ukrainian Aquaculture Anna Klochko 56 AQUACULTURE ENGINEERING SOCIETY CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Pilot Bioreactor Performance for the Zero-Emission of Total Suspended Solids Generated in Commercial Atlantic Salmon Land-Based Freshwater Aquaculture Systems Joel Barraza, Carlos Basulto, Macarena Morales, Camilo Merino and German E. Merino 62 AFRICAN CHAPTER CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Maximizing African Aquaculture — The Skills Factor Francis de Heer 64 Improving Bio-Security in Nigerian Fish Farms: Lessons from Lagos State Nike Funmilayo Aladetohun 67 USAS CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Applying the Smallholder Farming Model to Enhance Urban Food Security with Aquaponics George B. Brooks Jr. 71 Why Can’t She Farm Fish? Priya Babu, Naveen Nivas S, Dinesh Kaippilly and Geeji MT 75 ASIAN-PACIFIC CHAPTER CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: A Bihar (India) Fish Industry: 20th Century to 21st Century Dr. Bibha Kumari 78 Rethinking the Foundations of Shrimp Farming: A Call for Change in Understanding and Practice Farshad Shishehchian, Wiphada Mitbumrung and Erika Chong COVER: Having accurate species-specific welfare indicators is crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of farmed fish. Researchers have turned to wild lumpfish for guidance. See story, page 32. (CONTENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)
2 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Contents (continued) 2 President’s Column 3 Editor’s Note 4 Latin American and Caribbean Chapter Report 7 USAS Chapter Report 8 Korean Chapter Report 10 Asian Pacific Chapter Report 12 African Chapter Report 82 Conference Calendar 83 Future Conferences and Expositions 84 Membership Application President’s Column about adding titles to your CV — they’re about giving back, mentoring others, and supporting the next generation of aquaculture professionals. So when people ask, Why should someone join the World Aquaculture Society? I often reflect on how WAS has shaped my own career. My involvement hasn’t had a singular breakthrough moment, but rather has been defined by the relationships I built, the knowledge I gained, and the ways I was able to contribute. WAS has provided a platform for connecting with people across the globe and exchanging ideas — and, more importantly, it created opportunities to give back to a community that had already given so much to me. That sense of reciprocity is a thread that runs through the membership of our Society. Looking ahead, we have several exciting WAS opportunities to engage with the global aquaculture community through our chapter events. In October, the Latin American Chapter Meeting in Chile will delve into sustainability and innovation in the region, followed by the Asian Pacific Chapter Meeting in India in November, and the US Chapter Meeting in Las Vegas in February. I encourage you to attend these events to stay updated on trends and technologies but also to capitalize on the value of your WAS membership, not just by taking advantage of the reduced registration costs for members and the free beer but by connecting with colleagues, sharing experiences, and giving back to the WAS community through service and mentorship. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the World Aquaculture Society. I look forward to collaborating with each of you as we continue to shape the future of aquaculture. — Wendy Sealey, President, World Aquaculture Society Nurturing the Future of Aquaculture Through Mentorship, Service, and Connection Earlier this month, I had a birthday, and as the years continue to accumulate, I find myself reflecting more and more on the choices and path that have led me to where I am today. It’s a time to not only look back, but also look forward — to the exciting challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. My journey has been shaped by the people, experiences, and decisions I’ve encountered along the way, many of which were made possible through my involvement with the World Aquaculture Society (WAS). So, as I begin my tenure as President of WAS, I’m not only reflecting on how far we’ve come but also on how we can continue to grow and evolve as a community dedicated to advancing aquaculture. I still vividly remember attending my first Aquaculture America meeting in Seattle back in 1997 as a student. I wasn’t sure what to expect — certainly not the bare-breasted, paint-covered mermaids protesting outside the venue! But I quickly realized that this was more than just a scientific meeting; it was a chance to connect with aquaculture members (and sometimes their antagonists) from around the world. The relationships I initiated there — whether through WAS mentorship programs or casual chats in the trade show while standing in line for free beer — were nurtured through similar interactions in later meetings and helped lay the foundation for my professional network. Additionally, some of those relationships facilitated my serving WAS in a variety of capacities, whether as a presenter, session chair, technical program chair, steering committee chair, or as an officer at both the Chapter and parent Society levels. Each role offered new opportunities, though often accompanied by additional off-the-clock work, and reinforced my belief that service and leadership in this field aren’t So when people ask, Why should someone join the World Aquaculture Society? I often reflect on how WAS has shaped my own career. My involvement hasn’t had a singular breakthrough moment, but rather has been defined by the relationships I built, the knowledge I gained, and the ways I was able to contribute. WAS has provided a platform for connecting with people across the globe and exchanging ideas — and, more importantly, it created opportunities to give back to a community that had already given so much to me. That sense of reciprocity is a thread that runs through the membership of our Society.
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2025 3 Editor’s Note In aquaculture, and agricultural production in general, knowledge is indeed power. As aquaculture continues to advance throughout the world, a constant question is how best to get knowledge to those producers, students and policy makers who most need it? As Francis de Heer suggests in this issues’s African Chapter contributed article, throughout Africa “the most important component that will make a significant impact at this stage is the provision of skills and information.” He also points out that, in his case, “sending trainers across Ghana to speak to farmers is certainly a logistical nightmare.” Clearly, the same is true in many, many other countries, and not just in Africa. WAS’ website outlines the following Mission Priorities: • Promote the educational, scientific, and technological development and advancement of aquaculture throughout the world. • Gather and disseminate technical and other information on aquaculture worldwide. • Hold meetings for the presentation, exchange, and discussion of information, findings, and experiences on all subjects and techniques related to aquaculture. • Encourage the teaching of all phases of aquaculture and the training of aquaculturists. • Encourage aquaculture research, development and education activities by government agencies, both national and international, and private. We seasoned veteran stakeholders often think of Extension professionals as the front line in the effort to disseminate information. But the tools have changed. The concept of Extension education can be traced back almost 4,000 years, when governments in several early cultures encouraged best practices to boost crop yields (so as to collect more tax revenues — what a surprise). Modern approaches to Extension education began in England in the 1850’s and 1860’s. These initiatives eventually came to focus on agricultural education, and became the inspiration for similar efforts in the U.S. and elsewhere. In many countries, both developed and developing, aquaculture producers who do not have direct access to Extension professionals with the appropriate expertise are increasingly seeking information from other sources. This, of course, can be a double-edged sword. Another phenomenon has begun to undercut the value of the traditional Extension model: the privatization of research. Many large companies have reached a point where a significant portion of their research needs can, or must, be addressed in-house. And, many of the smaller aquaculture operations currently in business throughout the world have no nearby university or government professionals to collaborate with. As a result, these businesses have also chosen to embark on in-house R&D, albeit often on a trial-and-error basis with limited resources. In the age of the internet, and in spite of the decline of the role of Extension, tools still exist for valuable and verifiable information to reach industry stakeholders digitally and objectively. We will need more effort to connect the dots and translate results for practical applications. Successful approaches will require the following components: • Objective information on new or “best” practices. • Utilization of this information to educate producers, students and policy makers. • An organizational structure to oversee and promote these activities. • Governmental or industry frameworks to lend legitimacy to and formalize the organizations disseminating the information to stakeholders. • Reliance on, but adaptation of, historical models for the fundamentals of Extension programming. The tools required to reach industry stakeholders digitally and objectively already exist. We need to find efficient and inclusive ways to advance these efforts. World Aquaculture Magazine is only one piece of the puzzle, and we look forward to your contribution. — C. Greg Lutz, Editor-in-Chief Knowledge is Power — When Applied Correctly The tools required to reach industry stakeholders digitally and objectively already exist. We need to find efficient and inclusive ways to advance these efforts. World Aquaculture Magazine is only one piece of the puzzle, and we look forward to your contribution.
4 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Latin American and Caribbean Chapter CHAPTER REPORTS Latin American Aquaculture Meets in Puerto Varas, Chile It is an honor to invite the entire aquaculture community to participate in LACQUA25, the annual event of the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), which this year will be held in the beautiful city of Puerto Varas, Chile, in October. Chile not only welcomes us with its unique landscapes and renowned hospitality, but also as a world leader in aquaculture production. Our host has established itself as the world's second largest producer of salmonids, contributing more than 1 million tonnes per year, which represents about 30% of the salmon consumed on the planet. In addition, the country stands out in the production of rainbow trout, mussels and other species that strengthen the diversification and competitiveness of the region. Chilean aquaculture has been able to face environmental and health challenges, transforming itself into an innovative, regulated and high-tech production ecosystem. Today it is a reference model in sustainability, applied research, certifications and added value, elements that enrich the debate and learning in each edition of LACQUA. In Puerto Varas, researchers, producers, technology providers, students, government representatives and international organizations will meet, all with a common goal: to build together the future of aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean. The scientific and technical program will include plenary sessions, oral presentations and posters, as well as the most important trade exhibition in the region, where the latest innovations in nutrition, genetics, health, biotechnology and digitalization will be presented. As president of the Chapter, I am proud to see how LACQUA25 becomes the meeting point that unites science, industry and society, and how from our region we continue to contribute to the growth of world aquaculture with responsible and sustainable production. I cordially invite you to be part of this great event, to share your experiences, to generate new alliances and to enjoy a country that beats to the rhythm of aquaculture. See you in Puerto Varas this October to write a new chapter in the history of our industry together. — Luis Andrés Gonzalez-Agraz, President SOME BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER OF THE LACC • Access to World Aquaculture Magazine in both English and Spanish • Access to members-only section on the internet, including back issues of our publications • Discounts on registration fees for WAS and LACC conferences • Opportunities to join LACC committees of your interest • Student support services, awards, and opportunities • Global networking and professional contacts • Leadership opportunities as a Director or officer For more information: https://www.was.org/LACC/en/portal.aspx
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2025 5 Para mas informacion: Carolina Amezquita Email carolina@was.org www.was.org Premier sponsors Hotel Enjoy Puerto Varas, Chile October 6-9, 2025 Organizadores: LATIN AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN CHAPTER Organizadores Locales: LACQUA25 Letter ad CMYK.indd 1 11/4/24 08:19
6 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG February 16-19, 2026 Paris Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada USA Associate Sponsors Aquacultural Engineering Society Aquaculture Association of Canada Global Seafood Alliance International Association of Aquaculture Economics and Management Latin American Chapter WAS US Trout Farmers Association Zebrafish Husbandry Association THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION OF For More Information: Conference Manager Email: worldaqua@was.org Web: www.was.org Tradeshow: worldaqua11@was.org Premier sponsors AA26 Letter ad CMYK.indd 1 8/25/25 19:09
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2025 7 U.S. Aquaculture Society CHAPTER REPORTS the favorite entertainment spots in the world — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA — for the only major national aquaculture conference and exposition held in the U.S. The U.S. Aquaculture Society joins with the National Aquaculture Association and the Aquaculture Suppliers Association to produce this annual conference that features the newest technologies in the trade show. The abstract deadline is September 28, 2025; this is the hard deadline for students to submit abstracts if they would like to be considered for student travel and conference awards. • The USAS Election Committee is soliciting nominations for the next USAS President-elect (3-year commitment), Vice President (2-year term), and two Board Members at Large (2-year term). USAS members should have received an email from “WAS Communications” in early September outlining the responsibilities and process. USAS Immediate Past President Abigail Bockus is the Chair of the Election Committee. Nomination materials and questions about the process can be directed to her (details and contact information in the email). The nomination deadline is October 6, 2025. • The USAS Awards Committee is soliciting nominations for the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award, the Douglas Drennan II Industry Leadership Award, the Distinguished Early Career Award, and the Distinguished Service Award. USAS members should have received an email from “WAS Communications” in early July outlining the process, which is also posted on our USAS Professional Achievement Awards webpage. USAS President-Elect Adriane Michaelis is the Co-Chair of the Awards Committee with the lead on professional awards. Nomination materials and questions about the process can be directed to her (details and contact information in the email). The nomination deadline is December 1, 2025. • The USAS Student Activities Committee is looking for student members to help with planning for Aquaculture America 2026. If you are a student member who is interested in planning events, networking with other USAS students and members, and boosting your CV, please consider joining the committee. USAS members should have received an email from “WAS Communications” in mid-August with more information. To express your interest, please complete this short google form or reach out to USAS Student Liaison Julia Grenn (details and contact information in the email). “ONE — WE ARE the US-AS! TWO — A LITTLE BIT LOUDER! THREE — I STILL CAN’T HEAR YOU! FOUR — MORE, MORE, MORE!” — Michelle L. “Mick” Walsh, President In high school, I was captain of the cheerleaders. It happened by accident. I never thought of myself as a cheerleader; but my best friend and her older sister were cheerleaders, so reluctantly I tried out sophomore year. Senior year I was a captain. The accidental cheerleader. 25+ years later, I still think of myself as the accidental cheerleader. I can’t jump quite as high, but as USAS President, I consciously and actively look for opportunities to showcase and cheer on what our spectacular members do. Over morning coffee, I google the word “aquaculture” then hit the “News” tab to seek out what’s happened over the last few days. I search for the involvement of our members, and it isn’t hard to find them. Then we share on Facebook, X, Instagram and Linkedin (and we are working on expanding that communication). We are also better showcasing the recognitions we have bestowed upon our most prestigious USAS members. Recently, our USAS Professional Awards website has been updated to link to the bios and photos of our past professional award winners. We are working on something similar for our past student award winners. We also are tracking and storing our archives to make them more accessible, via our internal USAS Board shared drive as well as on the USAS website. This is all thanks to the technological acumen of our USAS Promotion and Membership Outreach - Sub-Committee on Social Media and Website Chair, Dave Perera. In an initiative spearheaded by USAS member and past student liaison (2016) Matt Hawkyard, we are participating in a coalition to harmonize aquaculture messaging with the goal of educating the public about the US seafood deficit and aquaculture’s role in addressing it. Key themes include seafood accessibility, encouraging consumption of more US-sourced seafood, and the importance of research and development in supporting aquaculture and wildcapture seafood sectors. Current members include USAS, University of Maine Aquaculture Research Institute, NOAA, Sea Grant, Mote Laboratories, University of Idaho, the National Aquaculture Association, the Maine Aquaculture Association and Auburn University. The group seeks additional partners that share the same mission — particularly communications specialists, so please reach out to Matt if you are interested and able to participate. “LET’S GO! LET’S GO! L-E-T-S – G-O!” • As we roll into Fall, the USAS conference committee led by Omolola Betiku, Jackson Gross, Aaron Pilnick, and Aaron Watson are “Bringing All Players to the Table” for AQUACULTURE AMERICA 2026 (February 16-19, 2026), which returns to one of Over morning coffee, I google the word “aquaculture” then hit the “News” tab to seek out what’s happened over the last few days. I search for the involvement of our members, and it isn’t hard to find them. Then we share on Facebook, X, Instagram and Linkedin (and we are working on expanding that communication).
8 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG CHAPTER REPORTS Korean Chapter Commemorative Ceremony for the “2025 Korea-China Joint Juvenile Fish Release Day” for a Resource-Rich Yellow Sea The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) attended the commemorative ceremony for the “2025 Korea-China Joint Juvenile Fish Release Day,” held on Tuesday, July 29, in Yantai, China. The KoreaChina joint juvenile fish release program was agreed upon at the Korea-China Joint Fisheries Committee to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the cultivation and protection of fishery resources in the Yellow Sea. It marked the sixth such event, with previous ceremonies held alternately between the two countries five times since the first one in 2018. This year’s ceremony was attended by Director General Hong Rae-Hyung of the Fisheries Policy Bureau from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, representing Korea, and Director Xiao Fang of the Bureau of Fisheries Administration from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, representing China. The two countries selected species of migratory fish inhabiting the Yellow Sea based on public preference and economic value, and each released them in their respective waters. This year, Korea released approximately 3.03 million fries of yellow croaker, red seabream, and blue crab, while China released about 3.56 million fry of blue crab, black scraper, and black seabream. As part of the ceremony in China, a portion of the blue crab and black scraper fry were jointly released. Furthermore, the two countries designated the blue crab as the target species for evaluating the effectiveness of the joint fry release the previous year and exchanged genetic information on the released fry. The two nations plan to use this genetic information to scientifically analyze the effectiveness of the release by verifying whether blue crabs caught in the West Sea are from the released stock or from natural populations. Minister Jeon Jae-Soo stated, “Through the Korea-China joint juvenile fish release program, we will further strengthen fisheries cooperation between our two countries to cultivate and manage fishery resources in the Yellow Sea scientifically. In addition to this initiative, we will also continue working closely with the Chinese government to manage illegal fishing and promote sustainable fisheries.” ‘Gim (Laver) Business Cluster Analysis’ Wins Grand Prize at Marine and Fisheries Business & Public Service Contest The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Jeon Jae-Soo) announced the selection of 10 winning entries from the 2025 Marine and Fisheries Business & Public Service Contest on August 7. This contest was open to the public nationwide from April 18 to June 20, inviting participants to discover innovative marine and fisheries business models using publicly available data. Since 2014, the Ministry has hosted this annual competition to identify creative ideas based on data, innovate administrative services, and discover businesses that utilize public data. Now in its 12th year, the contest received a total of 175 submissions across three categories: idea planning, products and services, and big data analysis. Through document and presentation reviews, 10 winners were selected: one grand prize, two top excellence prizes, and seven excellence awards. The Grand Prize (Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Award) was awarded to the ‘Kim Mi Kim’ team for their ‘Gim (Laver) Business Cluster Analysis.’ The project was highly praised for its quantitative analysis of the water temperature risks of laver farms due to climate change and for providing a scientific basis for creating customized policies through regional clustering. The winning team received 5 million KRW for the Grand Prize. Mr. Kwon Soon-Uk, Director General for Policy Planning at the MOF, stated, “To meet the demands of the AI-driven digital transformation era, we will continue to discover high-quality marine and fisheries data that meets the needs of the public and businesses, and provide steadfast support for creative ideas so they can lead to actual commercialization.” Korea Achieves Abalone Aquatic Infectious Disease-Free Status For the first time, Korea has achieved disease-free status from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) for seven aquatic animal diseases across three sectors: crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF, Minister Kang Do-Hyung) announced that Korea has been officially recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) as a diseasefree country for “Xenohaliotis californiensis infection, a significant infectious disease affecting abalone. This status was granted on June 16, 2025. Xenohaliotis californiensis infection, which has been reported in 11 countries, including the United States, Japan, and China, causes massive mortality in abalone populations and is designated by WOAH as an epidemic requiring national-level control. Disease-free status is an official WOAH designation for a country that is considered safe from a specific infectious disease because the disease has not been detected there. Information about this status is published on the WOAH website (www.woah.org). WOAH conducted a comprehensive review over nearly 10 years (2015-2024), surveying 7,333 domestic abalone farms across South Korea. Based on the history of no detected outbreaks of Xenohaliotis californiensis For the first time, Korea has achieved disease-free status from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) for seven aquatic animal diseases across three sectors: crustaceans, mollusks, and fish.
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2025 9 CHAPTER REPORTS infection and the robustness of Korea’s aquatic animal disease prevention and quarantine systems, WOAH granted the disease-free status. With this latest achievement, Korea has become the first country in the world to hold disease-free status for seven specific infectious diseases across three major aquatic animal sectors: Fish: Infectious Salmon Anemia (2019), Gyrodactylosis (2020), Salmonid Alphavirus Infection (2023). Mollusks: Abalone Herpesvirus Infection (2021), Xenohaliotis californiensis Infection (2025). Crustaceans: Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis (2022), Yellowhead Disease (2024). Minister Kang Do-Hyung stated, “By achieving this seventh disease-free status, Korea’s excellence and high standards in aquatic animal disease management have once again been internationally recognized. In the future, we will continue to strictly manage aquatic animal infectious diseases and advance related technologies, ensuring a safe and secure Korea free from aquatic animal disease.” MOF Holds Eel Fry Stocking Event A total of 440,000 eel fry was released into major inland waterways over 10 days starting June 20. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-Hyung) announced that beginning June 20, with the release of 100,000 eel fry in the Jangseong Dam area of Jeollanam-do, it would be conducting the “Nationwide Eel Fry Release Week.” Over the course of 10 days, a total of 440,000 young eels were released across seven local governments. The release locations were Goyang, Paju, Yangpyeong, Pocheon (Gyeonggi-do), Chuncheon, Gangneung, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje (Gangwon-do), Jecheon, Boeun, Danyang (Chungcheongbuk-do), Asan (Chungcheongnam-do), Buan (Jeollabuk-do), Jangseong, Haenam (Jeollanam-do), and Andong (Gyeongsangbuk-do). This event, organized primarily by industry, was the first joint initiative between the public and private sectors involved. The government (MOF and seven local governments) and the private sector (eel fish farms and producer organizations) collaborated to promote the recovery of inland water resources and maximize the impact of eel seeding projects that individual local governments had previously implemented. Eel farming in Korea generates an annual output of 514 billion KRW (USD $369.1 million) as of 2024, accounting for about 74% of the total inland fisheries production. This makes it a leading inland fishery industry with a steadily increasing share each year. Eels are a typical catadromous fish species that live in freshwater and migrate to the sea to spawn. They spawn in the deep sea near the Philippines, and the hatched glass eels then migrate back to Korea, China, and Japan. Since eel farming in Korea relies on catching juvenile eels that migrate to the country or importing them from China and Taiwan, continuous resource management for this species is essential. Recently, international organizations such as CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) have been actively discussing restrictions on the international trade of Far Eastern eels migrating to Korea, highlighting the urgent need for policy-level responses. Against this backdrop, the MOF launched this nationwide release initiative as part of its mid- to long-term strategy to increase eel fry resources in Korean waters and to highlight Korea’s efforts in resource recovery and management, both domestically and internationally. The event is particularly significant as it involves voluntary participation from the private sector. For example, the 100,000 juveniles released at Jangseong Dam were purchased by the Korea Freshwater Eel Producers’ Association, using what would otherwise have been stocked in private farms. Release sites were carefully selected as optimal habitats by the National Institute of Fisheries Science’s Central Inland Fisheries Research Center after reviewing major inland water systems. Local governments cooperated with local fishers to carry out the releases successfully. Meanwhile, on June 5, MOF inaugurated the “Public-Private Eel Fry Consultative Council” with eight provincial governments, the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the Korea Maritime Institute, the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency, the Korea Freshwater Eel Aquaculture Cooperative, and the Korea Freshwater Eel Producers’ Association. The council coordinates eel fry stocking activities and addresses broader issues facing aquaculture farms, such as resource recovery, eel supply-demand management, policy responses to international trade restrictions, and improvements in aquaculture stocking systems. Minister Kang Do-Hyung stated, “Through this eel fry release initiative, we not only aim to promote resource recovery but also help stabilize incomes for inland fishers and revitalize local economies. In the future, the government will continue joint efforts with the private sector and actively pursue ecological restoration projects — including river ecosystem recovery and habitat improvement initiatives.” Sources: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Press Releases of June 19, July 3, July 28 and August 7 2025. — Han-kyu Lim, President CALLING ALL READERS DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO WORLD AQUACULTURE? We’d love to see it! We welcome general features, articles and news covering a variety of aquaculture-related topics, preferably well-illustrated with photographs and line art. Published quarterly, the magazine keeps WAS members up to date with research results and reviews of aquaculture trends and topics. You do not need to be a member of the Society and there are no page charges. Guidelines for authors are available here. Submit manuscripts to C. Greg Lutz, Editor in Chief, at glutz@agcenter.lsu.edu or Cecilia Castellanos Nichols, ed.assistant@was.org when emailing your submission.
10 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG CHAPTER REPORTS Asian Pacific Chapter “Time demands effort, and effort brings visible results.” When the decision to host World Aquaculture India 2025 in Hyderabad was taken in January 2025, the timeline was extremely short. Yet, through the unwavering dedication of the host institutions, partner organizations, and local sponsors, the event has taken full shape and is ready to create history in India’s aquaculture sector. The Asian Pacific Chapter (APC) of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) remains committed to promoting knowledge sharing, innovation, and sustainable aquaculture practices across the Asia-Pacific region. The upcoming conference will be a landmark event, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students from across the globe. India, the host country, plays a critical role in global aquaculture: Indian aquaculture is witnessing rapid advancements, driven by technology adoption, policy reforms, and infrastructure development. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and its new sub-scheme with more money, the government is focusing on formalizing fisheries, introducing aquaculture insurance, and implementing digital registration through the National Fisheries Digital Platform. Technological integration is at the forefront, with over 50,000 reservoir cages, 12,000 Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), and thousands of bio-floc units established to enhance productivity and climate resilience. IoT-enabled water quality monitoring, AI-based farm management tools and satellite mapping are becoming increasingly common. Future strategies emphasize diversification of species, value addition, cold chain development, and climate-smart practices to ensure sustainable growth. These initiatives position India as a major player in global aquaculture innovation and production. Accepted abstracts will be scheduled for oral or poster presentations. Recognizing the critical role of students and young researchers, APC will evaluate all student abstracts for special awards: Best Student Paper Award; Best Student Poster Award. Awardee will get Certificates and Cash Prizes. Their eligibility: Students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral programs related to fisheries and aquaculture. For the first time, APC introduces Individual Awards to recognize excellence, innovation, and leadership in aquaculture: The World Aquaculture India 2025 will be a transformative platform for networking, innovation exchange, and sustainable development in aquaculture. The Asian Pacific Chapter invites all stakeholders — industry leaders, students, and policy-makers — to actively participate and shape the future of global aquaculture. Participation and Submissions: for World Aquaculture India 2025, 10-13 November 2025 at Hyderabad, India • Registration: Currently open and on-going. • Visa Information: Detailed visa assistance is also provided on the event’s website. • To get more information about World Aquaculture 2025, Hyderabad, India, kindly visit the website: https://was.org/meeting/ code/WAI2025 — Bibha Kumari, President WAS-APC IS PLEASED TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING AWARDS TO SUPPORT PARTICIPATION IN THE APA CONFERENCE EACH YEAR. 1. Pre-conference Student Travel Awards: Best three student abstract awards. 2. Presentation/poster awards for Students: (1st and 2nd prizes - judged during the conference). 3. Women’s Participation Travel Awards: Two travel grants will be awarded to women in aquaculture. 4. Professional Merit Award: This new award for 2025 honors up to two individuals who have made a significant positive impact on aquaculture, especially in Asia. Please contact apcsec@was.org for any questions and more details.
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2025 11 Supported by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Hosted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) P.V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University Dept. of Fisheries Govenment of Telangana www.was.org or contact apcsec@was.org; worldaqua@was.org Exhibition, sponsors – mario@marevent.com Aquaculture: Opportunities, Options, and Optimism November 10 - 13, 2025 Hyderabad, India Hyderabad International Convention Center - Novotel Organized by WAS Premier Sponsors Session Sponsor Silver Sponsor WA25 India AD LTR CMYK.indd 1 8/26/25 11:40
12 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG CHAPTER REPORTS African Chapter We are still reflecting on the success of the Aquaculture Safari 2025 in Uganda (June 2025), which surpassed our expectations in attendance—an expo where there was truly something for everyone! We continue to receive testimonials highlighting the positive impact the event has had on many participants’ professions, aquaculture services, and countries. Aquaculture Safari 2025 in Uganda was another clear demonstration that WAS-AC has come of age and can deliver beyond expectations. With over 1,660 active members to date, the WAS AC has undoubtedly become the most significant chapter worldwide! This is an impressive milestone, and I am incredibly grateful for this momentous achievement. It is mainly thanks to the many students and small-scale aquaculture stakeholders who continue to join the chapter in large numbers to benefit from the numerous offerings of the WAS. As a society, we are committed to addressing the needs and aspirations of these diverse member groups, which are vital for the future of aquaculture development in Africa. The rapid increase in membership has underscored the need to strengthen our structural foundations. The chapter is currently developing its Five-Year Strategic Plan, which will concentrate on boosting our delivery capabilities. Key strategic priorities will include expanding regional coverage, especially in Francophone and Lusophone Africa, as well as in countries with low aquaculture production; enhancing resource mobilization through connections with development partners; creating accessible knowledge repositories; promoting public-private partnerships; advancing the African student program; and supporting smallholder aquaculture actors — particularly women and youth. We will soon form ad hoc committees to oversee these initiatives. Looking beyond the continent, I understand many Africans are registered to attend conferences in other regions this season, including Aquaculture Europe 2025 in Valencia, Spain (September 2025), Latin America and Caribbean Aquaculture 2025 in Chile (October 2025), World Aquaculture India 2025 in Hyderabad (November 2025), and several other partner events worldwide. These events offer excellent networking opportunities with global experts, as well as access to cutting-edge research and innovative technologies. Be sure to bring this knowledge and connections back home to benefit our local aquaculture. You are, of course, Africa’s ambassadors at these events! Be sure to raise the continent’s flag high! Domestically, we look forward to meeting many of our members and partners at upcoming strategic conferences in Ghana (Aquaculture Ghana 2025, October 2025), the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON 2025, September), the 10th International Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference (SIPA 2025, November, Algeria), and the International Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture (CIPAS 2025, November, Angola), among many other partner events. We warmly welcome international delegates and members from different chapters to join us at these important African events. I extend my immense gratitude to everyone contributing in various ways to the advancement of the WAS-AC. I look forward to connecting with you in the next season’s column, which may be my final one as President of the African Chapter. — Foluke O. Areola, President WAS STUDENT ASSOCIATION AWARDS & CONTESTS Prior to each annual conference, Student Association members will receive the opportunity to submit entries for a number of awards to further their growth in the aquaculture industry. Take advantage of the Complimentary Student membership — see page 84 of this issue. Student Room Lottery (Free Accommodation): Each year, the Student Activities Committee of the World Aquaculture Society accepts entries for free rooms at the upcoming conference. A call for entries is sent out by e-mail and the drawing is held 6-8 weeks prior to the conference. WAS Travel Award: Student Abstracts are scored prior to the conference by members of the World Aquaculture Society. The three winners are invited to compete at the upcoming conference for the Student Spotlight Award. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 77)
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2025 13 For More Information: www.was.org or contact worldaqua@was.org Exhibition & sponsors: mario@marevent.com Organized By Hosted By WAS Premier Sponsors The United Republic of Tanzania Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries (Zanzibar) Conference Sponsor Chapter Corporate Sponsor “Aquaculture Driving Blue Transformation” 5th Annual International Conference & Exposition of the African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society WA26 Tanzania WAS ad CMYK.indd 1 3/26/25 16:55
14 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Record-breaking attendance figures at the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 in Uganda highlight the growing popularity of the World Aquaculture Society’s Conferences in Africa The World Aquaculture Safari 2025 Conference (WA25 Uganda) took place from June 24 to June 27, 2025, at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo-Kampala, Uganda. Themed “Aquaculture on the Rise,” the event marked a significant resurgence of in-person gatherings at an international aquaculture conference in Africa. It emphasized how partnerships in education, science, technological advancement, and business development continue to support the rapidly growing aquaculture sector on the continent. WA25 Uganda offered something for everyone, catering to a diverse range of interests in aquaculture, and providing valuable opportunities for learning, information sharing, and networking among professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, technical specialists, students, policymakers and development partners. Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the event attracted over 1,800 attendees from 79 countries worldwide, with a majority from Africa. It was a unique opportunity for participants to celebrate achievements, share ideas and innovations, and forge new partnerships that will help shape the future of aquaculture, which is experiencing significant growth in Africa. Notably, there was a record number of fish farming micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their representative associations participating, underscoring their vital role in aquaculture development in the region. WA25 Uganda was the second time a WAS global event has been held on African soil, following the successful World Aquaculture Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2017. Since then, WAS has organized the Annual Aquaculture Africa Conferences (AFRAQs) in Egypt in 2022, Zambia in 2023, and Tunisia in 2024, with plans to continue this annual tradition in other identified countries. The guest of honour was Uganda’s Vice President, Her Excellency Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, who was joined by other senior state dignitaries from Uganda, as well as highlevel guests from development partners, including the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), European Union (EU), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), World Bank, FAO, and others. The global WAS President, Dr. David Cline, and the African Chapter President, Ms. Foluke Areola, also attended the event. The conference’s scientific and technical program was filled with sessions that balanced global and African perspectives. Presentations by renowned experts from development organizations, the private sector, and academia sparked debates on strategies and innovations that will shape the future of aquaculture. In total, the program featured 61 sessions, over 500 abstracts, 99 posters, four training workshops, and various side and parallel meetings. It was encouraging to see the presence of several Immediate Past-President David Cline and President-Elect Foluke Areola. Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the event attracted over 1,800 attendees from 79 countries worldwide, with a majority from Africa. It was a unique opportunity for participants to celebrate achievements, share ideas and innovations, and forge new partnerships that will help shape the future of aquaculture, which is experiencing significant growth in Africa. Notably, there was a record number of fish farming micro, small, and medium enterprises and their representative associations participating, underscoring their vital role in aquaculture development in the region.
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2025 15 developmental organizations that participated in previous AFRAQs. These included the EU, GIZ, the World Bank, African Union Agencies (AUDA-NEPAD and AUIBAR), the FAO, the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program (WISHH), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), among others. Development partners have been a crucial source of technical assistance for WAS conferences in Africa since 2022, providing diverse expertise, capacity-building resources, financial support, and knowledge-sharing platforms. They also play a key role in strengthening partnerships and fostering international cooperation, enhancing the overall impact and effectiveness of WAS conferences. Prominent aquacultural related continental associations and networks that featured at WA25 Uganda included the Aquatic Blue Foods Coalition (ABFC), the Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF), the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET), the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA), the WAS Portuguese (PALOP) platform and others. The event also marked the launch of new platforms such as the network on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) and the Network for African Women Leaders in Aquaculture Research and Development (NOWLA). Noteworthy the African Union also launched their strategic plan for ANAF during the conference. Over 200 industry players and professionals from Uganda, Africa, and around the world attended WA25 Uganda. Among the major industry players present were Aller Aqua, the corporate sponsor for the WAS African Chapter, along with various aquafeed companies, fish producers, equipment suppliers, and consulting firms. Large-scale aquafeed companies are recognized for bringing a vast network of aquaculture farmers from various countries. The African Aquaculture Business Leaders Network (ABLN), which was launched at the previous conference in Tunisia (AFRAQ2024), was prominently featured at WA25 Uganda. The Students Programme at WA25 Uganda has seen significant improvements compared to previous conferences, with nearly 150 students attending the event, primarily from Africa. A reception session provided aquaculture students with an opportunity to network with one another. Additionally, student presentations (both poster and oral), contests, awards, and career mentorship sessions proved beneficial for the large group of student participants, allowing them to share their work with a broader audience and receive valuable feedback. Makerere University, a renowned institution, served as the flagship collaborative university for WA25 Uganda. As with all WAS global events, the technical and scientific program was complemented by a major international trade show, featuring 77 exhibition booths from over 20 countries. This allowed companies and developmental organizations to showcase their products and innovations, build connections, and gain insights into the African aquaculture market. Furthermore, aquaculture tours were organized to visit the newly established state-of-the-art aquafeeds factory, De Heus Ltd, located in Jinja, as well as a large-scale tilapia cage culture farm, Victoria Treasures Ltd, in Entebbe and the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre at Kajjansi. On the sidelines of WA25 Uganda, the WAS Global Board of Directors had the opportunity to convene their Annual Board Meeting where decisions on the way forward and direction for the Chapter were made. The African Chapter also convened their MidTerm Board Meeting 2025 to discuss Chapter business. Overall, WA25 Uganda was a resounding success consolidating the annual WAS Africa Chapter conference as Africa’s premier aquaculture stakeholder meeting. WAS Global and its African Chapter extend their heartfelt gratitude to the conference sponsors, particularly the EU-funded TRUEFISH Project (overseen by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation) served as the lead sponsor. GIZ was the Gold Sponsor, while AQUAGROUP, the World Bank, and WISHH contributed as Silver Sponsors. Special thanks go to the conference organizing committees, various premium and session sponsors, exhibitors, collaborators, media partners, and all attendees who played a role in making the event a success. For the full conference program and more information, please visit the AFRAQ25 website. https://was.org/meeting/code/ afraq25. The next World Conference in Africa is scheduled for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 1-4 December 2026. 2025. This is followed by World Aquaculture Ghana 2027, scheduled for late November 2027 in Accra, Ghana. Details will soon be available on the WAS website www.was.org. Contact: africanchapter@was.org Development partners continue to be a crucial source of technical assistance for WAS conferences in Africa. Nearly 150 students attended the event.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjExNDY=