Infectious diseases remain a major constraint to sustainable aquaculture, resulting in significant production losses and economic impacts, including freshwater fish farming systems such as tilapia. These challenges are frequently addressed through the administration of antimicrobials, which contributes to the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Strengthening preventive strategies—including enhanced biosecurity and vaccination—is essential to reduce disease incidence and antimicrobial reliance, while supporting the sustainable intensification of aquaculture.
The International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS; www.icars-global.org) will be introduced, highlighting how low- and middle-income countries can access technical and financial support to pilot and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing disease and antimicrobial use in aquaculture. At the conference, examples of applied research projects supported by ICARS in Vietnam and Chile will be presented. In Vietnam, data will be shared from an intervention evaluating the effects of vaccination in catfish farming against Aeromonas hydrophila and Edwardsiella ictaluri on disease incidence, mortality, feed conversion ratio, and antimicrobial use. In Chile, a collaborative effort with the salmon industry, regulators, and researchers is underway to develop a catalogue of cost-effective, scalable interventions to enhance disease prevention and reduce antimicrobial use.
Additionally, a draft Biosecurity Guideline for Cage Fish Farming in Tanzania: Risk Mitigation, Aquatic Animal Health, and Ecosystem Sustainability will be presented. Developed with financial and technical support from the project Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health, including Animal Health, the Environment, and Practitioner Engagement (AMROH), Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), funded by the Fleming Fund, UK - the guideline promotes preventive practices, early disease detection, rapid outbreak response, and evidence-based biosecurity planning. It targets both cage fish farmers and government inspectors, aiming to support the development of practical, auditable biosecurity plans. The guidelines are also highly relevant for tilapia cage farming in Uganda and Kenya, given the shared access to Lake Victoria and its increasing use for intensified aquaculture.
These initiatives illustrate a global shift toward integrated, preventive approaches that support aquatic animal health, environmental sustainability, and responsible antimicrobial use.