INDIA GEARING UP: Bringing Back Black Tiger Shrimp Culture VOLUME 56, NUMBER 2 THE MAGAZINE OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY JUNE 2025 W RLD AQUACULTURE
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 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, 2024-25 David Cline, President Humberto Villarreal, Immediate Past President Wendy Sealey, President-Elect Matt Parker, Treasurer Rumaitha Al Busaidi, Secretary DIRECTORS Angela Caporelli Hillary Egna Shivaun Leonard Catriona Macleod Yahira Piedrahita Brian Small Bakare Mariam Oyinade, Student Director CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES Foluke Omotayo Areola, 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 Mary Nickum, Editor 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. 2 JUNE 2025 14 Aquaculture 2025 Student Travel and Presentation Award Winners Allen Pattillo and Nicole Rhody 19 2025 USAS Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Awards 20 The Journal of the World Aquaculture Society Editor’s Choice Awards 56(1) 23 The Journal of the World Aquaculture Society Editor’s Choice Awards 56(2) 25 In Memoriam: Humberto Villarreal Colmenares 27 LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN CHAPTER CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Chilean Aquaculture: Current Scenario, Gaps and Challenges for a Sustainable Activity Sandra L. Marín, Marcela P. Astorga, Camila Barría, Rodrigo Carrasco, Alexander Jaramillo-Torres, Carlos Molinet, Pedro Murúa, María José Torrealba and Felipe Tucca 34 Aquaculture Potential of Faxonius lancifer Miriam Contin Ortega, Joseph Bischoff and C. Greg Lutz 39 AQUACULTURAL ENGINEERING SOCIETY CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Marine Aquaponics: Challenges and Opportunities Steven G. Hall and Christopher Pascual 44 Empowering Women in Caribbean Aquaculture: A Leadership Summit for Change Juli-Anne Russo 46 Repositioning Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) in Trout Diets Krishna Pada Singha and Vikas Kumar 50 ASIAN PACIFIC CHAPTER CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: India Gearing Up to Bring Back Black Tiger Shrimp Culture Manoj Mohanlal Sharma and Mayank Manoj Sharma 56 Fishing for Probiotics in Familiar Pools: The Fight Against the Salmonid Pathogen, Flavobacterium psychrophilum Despoina Athena-Vasileiadi, Mikkel Bentzon-Tilia and Lone Gram 62 Supply Chain vs. Value Chain in the Aquaculture Sector: Untangling the Differences Karthik Kumar Goud Palsam and Ankush L. Kamble 66 Boosting Aquaculture with Yeast: A Sustainable Solution for Fish Health and Growth Kathiresan Purushothaman 70 Effect of Application of Normal Saline Solution on the Efficacy of Milt of Clarias gariepinus Egwenomhe Marinus and Oghenevwairhe Emefe 74 U.S. AQUACULTURE SOCIETY CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Getting it Right: Conservation Aquaculture for Recovery, Restoration and Supplementation Joshua T. Patterson 76 KOREAN CHAPTER CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: K-Blue Carbon on the Verge of International Certification Na, Jun Su (HyundaeHaeyang) COVER: Our APC-contributed article describes the resurgence of black tiger shrimp culture in India. See story, page 50. (CONTENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)
2 JUNE 2025 • 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 80 Conference Calendar 81 Future Conferences and Expositions 82 Membership Application President’s Column professionals emphasized that hiring decisions are rarely based on résumés alone. While academic and professional achievements are important, employers also look for interpersonal skills, adaptability, and sound judgment. How do you treat others? Can you think on your feet? Do you bring common sense along with technical knowledge? I encourage all students and young professionals to seek out internships, volunteer roles, and networking opportunities. What you know matters — but who you know, and how you engage with them, often makes the difference. The strength of our Society lies in the depth and diversity of expertise among our members. Peer-reviewed research is essential, but it’s not the only way to share knowledge. What may seem like “old news” to you could be transformative for a beginning farmer. I urge you to share your insights — whether through articles, videos, social media, or informal mentorship. This magazine is a powerful platform and has the potential to become the go-to resource for accessible, up-to-date aquaculture information. Thank you again for the honor of serving as your president. I look forward to supporting the incoming Board in my new role as Past President. Please consider getting involved — whether by contributing ideas, joining a committee, or running for office. Your voice and vision matter. — David Cline, President, World Aquaculture Society Reflections and Gratitude As I write this note, I’m preparing to travel to Entebbe for the 2025 Aquaculture Safari — my final meeting as president of our Society. It’s a moment of reflection and deep gratitude. I want to sincerely thank the Society, the Board, our committees, and the dedicated event staff for making my tenure both fulfilling and inspiring. Together, we’ve continued to move the society forward in a positive direction. As many of you know, our board members and volunteers generously give their time and energy to sustain and grow our community. It takes commitment to introduce new ideas while honoring the momentum built by previous leadership. I’d like to especially recognize board member Dr. Catriona Macleod and the Publications Committee for launching the new Student Writing Workshop. This initiative not only helps students sharpen their communication skills but also fosters camaraderie and collaboration. We hope it will lead to a series of Africa-focused contributions to World Aquaculture Magazine. Each time I attend one of our annual or regional meetings, I’m reminded of the value of connection — meeting new colleagues and reconnecting with old friends. These events are especially vital for students and early-career professionals, offering opportunities to network with future collaborators, mentors, and employers. Recently, during a panel discussion with students, several As many of you know, our board members and volunteers generously give their time and energy to sustain and grow our community. It takes commitment to introduce new ideas while honoring the momentum built by previous leadership. Each time I attend one of our annual or regional meetings, I’m reminded of the value of connection — meeting new colleagues and reconnecting with old friends. These events are especially vital for students and early-career professionals, offering opportunities to network with future collaborators, mentors, and employers. The strength of our Society lies in the depth and diversity of expertise among our members. Peer-reviewed research is essential, but it’s not the only way to share knowledge. What may seem like “old news” to you could be transformative for a beginning farmer. I urge you to share your insights — whether through articles, videos, social media, or informal mentorship. This magazine is a powerful platform and has the potential to become the go-to resource for accessible, up-to-date aquaculture information.
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2025 3 Editor’s Note Almost weekly, I am reminded of how well-intentioned ideas can have unforeseen negative consequences, and aquaculture seems to be particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. This often occurs when an uninformed group of advocates manage to persuade an equally uninformed group of policy makers and voters that action must be taken to address some terrible menace to the environment and society, all without an ounce of thoughtful analysis. Here are just a few examples that come to mind. In response to political pressure and claims of devastating impacts on wild stocks (particularly in terms of sea lice infestations), the Canadian government oversaw the removal of salmon farming operations in the Discovery Islands beginning in 2021. There have been no active salmon farms in the area since 2022. And yet, in spite of the incessant chants of “no salmon farms means no more sea lice” from anti-aquaculture activists and assorted pseudoscientists, a recent study appears to have debunked that unfounded myth. In 2024 sea lice abundance in the region reached some of the highest levels recorded over the previous eight years …with not a single salmon cage in sight. Sea lice infestations were still observed on juvenile chum and pink salmon “despite the absence of Atlantic salmon aquaculture production between 2022 and 2024.” One of the study’s authors, Lance Stewardson, RPBio., CPESC, and Director of Mainstream Biological Consulting Inc., concluded “This long-term monitoring shows that significant natural sources of sea lice exist. Our findings disprove the claim that salmon farms are the sole driver of sea lice on wild Pacific salmon in the near-shore environment and underscore the need for continued monitoring.” It is also worth noting that the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat’s 2022 Science Response document indicated there was no statistical correlation between sea lice counts on wild and farmed salmon … but what would they know, right? The demand for alternative protein sources to feed both traditional terrestrial livestock and aquatic species has grown significantly in recent years. Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae have been promoted as a promising feed ingredient for fish, poultry and even cattle. BSF larvae can be produced using food wastes or even animal manure that would otherwise require burdensome disposal processes. Additionally, the resulting frass (mostly composed of droppings) can be used to amend nutrient-deficient soils. In many countries there are still a number of public health concerns related to which types of waste should be permitted for BSF production, but interest in commercialization is continually increasing. So, what could be the downside of using organic waste to produce protein that could replace fishmeal and soybean meal? While there are well-documented sustainability concerns with soybean meal (deforestation, etc.) and fishmeal (unregulated and unsustainable catches), a number of potential environmental impacts have also been cited for BSF production. A recent study in the UK determined that the total climate impact of BSF meal production ranged from 12.9 to 30.1 kg CO2 per kg of protein for waste-fed and feed-fed systems, respectively. These values were actually 5.7 to 13.5 times higher than for soybean meal and 1.8 to 4.2 times higher than for fishmeal. A number of modifications to the present production methodology would be required for BSF meal to achieve climate impacts lower than those of soybean meal. These include the use of solar energy during the rearing process and adopting alternative drying methods. And, finally, who could forget those well-meaning advocates for ethanol “enhanced” gasoline several decades back? The goal to reduce pollution from automobile engines was admirable, but when the federal government mandated the inclusion of ethanol in U.S. gasoline supplies, significant corn inventories were diverted from feed production to ethanol plants. Corn prices rose rapidly and this in turn increased prices for soybeans. In most of the U.S. catfish producing region, floating catfish feed doubled in price in less than two growing seasons. Many smaller and less-efficient operations could no longer turn a profit, and as production costs increased and acreage declined many seafood buyers took notice and began to seek out alternative products or suppliers. Tilapia producers in many countries faced similar constraints. Critics of corn-based ethanol point out, among other concerns, that it costs more to produce than gasoline and requires more energy than it yields in the process. Had the mandate required the use of ethanol produced from agricultural by-products the end result would have been more environmentally and economically beneficial, especially for the aquaculture industry. The lesson? It’s up to us to take the long view to ensure policymakers understand potential impacts to our industry, and its local, regional and global importance. — C. Greg Lutz, Editor-in-Chief It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time…
4 JUNE 2025 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Latin American and Caribbean Chapter CHAPTER REPORTS Tribute, Inclusion and the Future: What Awaits Us at LACQUA25 I would like to begin this column by dedicating a special space to express our deepest gratitude and recognition for the remarkable contributions of our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Humberto Villarreal, who sadly passed away recently. His departure leaves a significant void in the aquaculture community, but his legacy will remain alive in our hearts and through the work he inspired in so many of us. Dr. Villarreal was an exceptional scientist and a tireless advocate for aquaculture in Mexico, throughout Latin America, and across the globe. I had the privilege of working closely with him during his tenure as President of the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (2017–2019), and more recently, during his time as WAS Global President (2023–2024). His leadership, vision, and passion for aquaculture will be deeply missed and forever remembered. We are going to miss him! Looking ahead, I’m pleased to announce that LACQUA25 will take place October 6–9, 2025, in Puerto Varas, Chile. This is the leading aquaculture event for Latin America and the Caribbean, organized by the World Aquaculture Society – Latin American and Caribbean Chapter (LACC-WAS) in collaboration with INTESAL and the Universidad Austral de Chile. Each morning will begin with a keynote address by a distinguished regional expert: • René Garreaud on Climate Change and Aquaculture: A Latin American and Caribbean Perspective • Stefan Partelow on Governance for Sustainable Aquaculture • Alicia Gallardo on Health and Welfare of Aquatic Organisms In addition to a comprehensive scientific program, the congress will feature high-impact workshops on topics such as: • Interdisciplinary science to address current and future aquaculture challenges • Aquaculture genetics • Small-scale aquaculture • Capture-based aquaculture • Harmful algal blooms (HABs) • Aquaculture nutrition The scientific sessions will be structured around core themes: • Nutrition, reproduction, health and welfare • Production systems, technology and innovation • Genetics and genomics • Biology and physiology • Aquaculture and the environment • Processing, certification, standards and commercialization • Socio-ecology, sustainability and policy Abstract submission deadline: July 31, 2025 Submit your abstract at: https://www.was.org/meeting/Abstract/ Submit/LACQUA25 The event will also offer technical tours to production facilities, research centers, and hatcheries, as well as an official visit to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, one of southern Chile’s most iconic natural landscapes. The trade show will bring together local and international companies, creating a high-visibility platform for: • International businesses seeking to enter the dynamic Chilean aquaculture market • Chilean companies looking to showcase their innovations to a regional audience LACQUA events have seen remarkable growth: over 1,900 participants and 70+ companies in Mérida (2022), and more than 2,000 attendees in Medellín (2024). LACQUA25 is set to continue this tradition of excellence, bringing together science, business, and collaboration in one powerful platform. In other news, as part of our commitment to equity, LACCWAS proudly supported and provided funding for the recent “Empowering Women in Caribbean Aquaculture” Leadership Summit. Despite high educational achievement and active participation in aquaculture, women in the Caribbean remain underrepresented in leadership roles. This online summit held March 10–22, 2025, marked a significant milestone in efforts to close the leadership gap and advance gender equality in Caribbean aquaculture. • For more information about the trade show of LACQUA26 please contact Carolina Amezquita: carolina@was.org and visit the event webpage at https://www.was.org/Meeting/code/LACQUA25. — Luis Andrés Gonzalez-Agraz, 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.
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 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 JUNE 2025 • 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 Premier sponsors For More Information: Conference Manager Email: worldaqua@was.org Web: www.was.org Tradeshow: worldaqua11@was.org AA26 Letter ad CMYK.indd 1 6/3/25 11:34
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2025 7 U.S. Aquaculture Society CHAPTER REPORTS Brand The Standard in Growth and Survival Augmentation AlgaMac Enrich High in DHA and Natural Astaxanthin Celebrating 37 years serving the aquaculture industry with high quality diets, Artemia cysts and hatchery equipment including the AlgaMac series algae replacement/substitution rich in DHA for shrimp, fish and bivalve applications. AlgaMac-3050 Flake 20-22% DHA! - dry wt basis in crumble flake form. AlgaMac Protein Plus All celled DHA enriched Rotifer Growout Diet AlgaMac Enhance Two whole cell algaes with amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins and beta-glucans Series World renowned AlgaMac Other high quality feeds from Bio-Marine: EconoMac Microparticle diet: Larval-PL stages Formulated Diets (4000 series) Micro-crumble diet: Larval-PL stages Astarose Natural source of Astaxanthin Spirulina Spray-dried Algae ArteMac Artemia Replacement Replace up to 100% Artemia with this nutritionally superior diet. MadMac Maturation Stimulator Fresh, make on-site. Rich in DHA. Aeration Filtration Heating Lab Supplies Meters Tubing & Hose UV/Ozone Water Quality Microscopes Pipe/Fittings/Valves P umps Refractometers Systems Design ... and more. Hatchery Equipment & Supplies PO Box 5, Hawthorne, California 90250 USA Tel: 310-973-5275 / Fax: 310-676-9387 If you wish to test our diets, please contact us for a sample. Red AlgaMac Rotifer & Artemia Enrichment. New www.aquafauna.com email: aquafauna@aquafauna.com Membership Outreach Sub-Committee on Social Media as well as the Finance Sub-Committee on Fundraising. Board Director Forrest Wynne, as Chair of the Promotion & Membership Outreach Committee, spearheaded the effort to survey our membership on their motivations, preferences, and feedback (results published in the December 2024 issue of WAS Magazine). He stoically rides off into retirement after 35 devoted years as an Aquaculture Extension Specialist at Kentucky State University. Board Director Adriane Michaelis was voted in as President-Elect, so now she wears even more USAS hats. She faithfully continues to serve as Chair of the Student Activities and Student Subunit Committees (among other new President-Elect duties). Abigail Bockus (an eloquent and organized mentor) ascends to Immediate Past President, and I to President, accordingly. Abigail will chair the Strategic Planning and Elections Committees this year. Vice President Allen Pattillo (University of Maryland Extension) and Directors Melissa “Missy” Good (Alaska Sea Grant) and Jordan Lynch (Key Allegro Oyster Company) continue serving in the second years of their terms, and Julia Grenn (Virginia Institute of Marine Science) and “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — attributed to Margaret Mead (1901-1978), American cultural anthropologist The US Aquaculture Society (USAS), a Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society, comprises over 1000 individuals, many of whom consistently step up to support both the profession and each other. Each year, a handful of these members dedicate an enormous amount of time and energy to serve on the Board of Directors of the Chapter itself. At the USAS Board Meeting held on the first day of the Triennial AQUACULTURE 2025 conference earlier this year, five Board positions (including three officer and two director positions) rotated command. We want to express our overwhelming gratitude for the dedication and rigor of our outgoing members. Dayan “Dave” Perera served two years as our persistent and forward-thinking Secretary/Treasurer. His pragmatic approach to streamline budgeting and incorporate AI tools into recordkeeping set the stage for the new world order use of these technologies. Dave continues his commitment to USAS by Chairing the Promotion & (CONTINUED ON PAGE 9)
8 JUNE 2025 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG CHAPTER REPORTS Korean Chapter Korean Chapter Executive Committee Meeting During the KOSFAS conference timeline (see below), the Korean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society held an Executive Committee (EXCOM) meeting on May 7 at Phenix Island in Jeju. The EXCOM, chaired by President Lim Han Kyu, assigned the Secretary/Treasurer, Mr. Hong Jeongwhui (Chonnam National University), as well as the two Board of Directors members, Mr. Hur Jun Wook (Kunsan National University) and Mr. Lee Seunghyung Lee (Pukyong National University), who were recommended under the authority granted by the Emergency Committee chaired by Prof. Chung Ik Kyo. The Directors’ term of office is four years, from 2025 to 2028. KOSFAS International Conference 2025 The 2025 Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science (KOSFAS) International Conference was held at the Phenix Island, Jeju, from May 7 to 9 under the theme “A 70-Year Journey of Fisheries Science and the Next 100 Years – Leaping Towards the Past, Present, and Future.” The opening ceremony, chaired by Ms. Park Eun-Jeong (Professor, Pukyong National University), was held at the Island Ballroom on May 7. Mr. Choi Jung Hwa, President of KOSFAS, opened the conference and delivered the welcoming address. His Excellency Minister Kang Do-Hyung (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, MOF) delivered congratulatory remarks via video presentation. Mr. Reiji Masuda (Board of Directors on International Exchange, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science) and Ms. Holly A Shiels (Honorary President of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles) gave congratulatory speeches. Emeritus Professors Ryu Hong-Soo, Lee Jeong-Yeol, and Zhang Chang-Ik (Pukyong National University) also gave congratulatory remarks. The KOSFAS 70th anniversary ceremony and “2025 Marine Fisheries R&D Research Achievement Sharing Conference” by the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) were held on May 8. Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Korea participated in the “Innovations in Fisheries Technology among Asian Countries” sessions on May 8 and 9. The conference drew 615 participants, featuring seven invited lectures, 142 oral presentations, and 182 poster presentations. FIRA and WBG held ‘Global Seaweed Summit 2025’ The Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA, President Kim Jong-Deog) co-hosted the ‘Global Seaweed Summit (GSS) 2025’ with the World Bank Group (WBG) for two days from May 28 to 29 in Busan. The GSS 2025 aimed to address the climate crisis and achieve ocean carbon neutrality, with the theme of the value of seaweed and the sustainability of the industry. The event was prepared as a place for approximately 100 people, including the World Bank Group, government representatives from various countries including Africa and Asia, domestic and foreign companies and startups related to seaweed, international organizations, public institutions, and academia, to discuss responding to the climate crisis and expanding economic value through seaweed. In his keynote speech, Kim JongDeog emphasized the ecological, economic, and social value of seaweed, the possibility of strategic expansion of the global seaweed industry, and the need for international cooperation to restore climate justice and sustainable local communities. President Kim JongDeog emphasized, “Seaweed is the most realistic and feasible key to turning crises into opportunities, and it will be the beginning of climate stability, ecosystem recovery, and local economic revitalization.” Afterward, Mr. Choi Im-ho, Director of the Blue Carbon Strategy Office, gave a presentation on the topic of ‘Creating Marine Forests and Blue Carbon’ and presented a plan to create a sustainable marine carbon neutrality foundation through the carbon absorption function of seaweeds, the potential linkage with international carbon trading schemes, and a model of ecological restoration with participation in local fishing villages. Through the ‘Global Seaweed Summit 2025,’ the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency has established a foundation for international cooperation to • establish an international seaweed industry partnership, • disseminate technologies for creating sea forests for climate recovery, and • expand sustainable fisheries models centered on women and youth. There were 10 sessions conducted during GSS2025, and each session featured keynote talks, presentations, feedback, and panel discussions. The session titles are as follows: ‘Global Seaweed Landscape – Analytical and Diagnostics Reports,’ ‘Innovation in Korea’s Seaweed Sector – 100-Year Development Journey and Food Systems Lens,’ ‘Understanding Country-Specific Dynamics – Opportunities and Challenges in Emerging Seaweed Sectors (Cambodia, Comoros, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Vietnam),’ ‘Seaweed as an Environmental Solution to Shared Prosperity on a Livable Planet,’ ‘Operational Strategies - Building Investable Seaweed Ecosystems,’ ‘Private Sector Leadership – Seaweed Innovation Marketplace and Demo Day,’ ‘Inclusive Blue Seaweed Economy – Women and Jobs,’ and ‘Live Technical Assistance – Beyond the Last Mile in Advancing Innovation for Global Seaweed Value Chains.’ There was a Seaweed Product Exposition by Marinavi, Marine Innovation, Taean Kimjangsu, Haesan, and Ocean & Harvest. In the Poster Session, 11 posters were presented by the members of the Korean Society of Phycology (President Yoon Hwan Su). Korean Smart Aquaculture Technology Transferred to Indonesia The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS: President Choi Yong-seok) of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on April 21 that it held a workshop in Jakarta, Indonesia, to share the results of the “Smart Technology Support Project for Improving Aquaculture Productivity in Indonesia” promoted as a “Coastal Country Cooperation Project (ODA).”
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2025 9 CHAPTER REPORTS About 40 people, including officials and experts from the NIFS and the Indonesian government, attended this workshop to discuss the achievements of the first phase of the project (modernization of Napoleonfish (Humphead wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus) seed production facilities and aquaculture technology development) and the direction of the second phase (support for Eucheuma drying facilities and eco-friendly aquaculture equipment) scheduled from 2025 to 2027. Eucheuma is utilized as a raw material in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of Eucheuma, accounting for 98% of global production (9.8 million tons annually). The NIFS presented the results of modernizing the Napoleon fish seed production facility and the physiological and ecological research for stable artificial seed production at the Batam Marine Aquaculture Center in Indonesia. The Indonesian side also introduced the development status of the Euceuma variety, a seaweed variety unique to the country, along with the policy direction of the Coordinating Ministry for Food Control, which was newly launched from the previous Coordinating Ministry for Marine Investment Control following the reorganization of the Indonesian Cabinet in October of last year. Napoleonfish (Humphead wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus) belongs to the Labridae Family, which takes over five years to reach market size and is a high-value-added variety worth KRW 200,000 to 400,000 per kilogram. This technical support project is being implemented over five years with a budget of approximately 70 billion won, based on an implementation agreement signed in October 2023 between the NIFS and Indonesia’s Marine Investment Control (now Food Control). South Korea aims to enhance the aquaculture production and quality of Napoleonfish and Eucheuma, which are key species for Indonesia’s aquaculture industry, by transferring aquaculture technologies such as water quality automation monitoring systems, automatic feed supply devices, and smart seaweed drying facilities while also supporting the establishment of stable aquaculture systems. In particular, the support for Napoleonfish aquaculture technology marks a turning point in the sustainable and stable development of the aquaculture industry, establishing a foundation for artificial seed production and moving away from the previous reliance on wild catches. Mr. Lee Jeong-Yong, head of the Aquaculture Industry Research Department (NIFS), said, “Based on close cooperation and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, I hope that the second phase of the project will proceed without a hitch.” He added, “I hope that this cooperation will substantially contribute to strengthening the national competitiveness of Indonesia’s fish and seaweed aquaculture industry.” Pulmuone was selected! Who is the winner of the heated ‘Land-Based Gim (Laver) Farming War’? Pulmuone has been selected as the final operator for a significant government R&D project aimed at developing land-based Gim (laver, Pyropia) cultivation technology, recognized for its innovative food technology and practical implementation strategies (see World Aquaculture Magazine, March 2025). The company is leading a consortium that includes universities and industry partners to commercialize eco-friendly seaweed farming year-round at a demonstration center in Saemangeum. This initiative aims to strengthen the national food industry through cooperation among public, private, and academic sectors. Pulmuone is advancing landbased aquaculture with proprietary technology, patent applications, and strategic partnerships, targeting both domestic and global markets for sustainable innovation in the seaweed industry. — Han-kyu Lim, President USAS Chapter, continued from page 7 Abdulmalik Oladipupo (Auburn University) still serve as our Student Liaison and Student Liaison Apprentice, respectively. New Board recruits include incoming Secretary/Treasurer Bradley “Kai” Fox, an Aquaculture Extension Specialist at Hawai’i Sea Grant; Anoushka Concepcion, a long-time extension educator turned Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Rhode Island; and Timothy “TJ” Bruce, an Assistant Professor in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences at Auburn University. This current WAS Magazine issue includes a detailed feature on the 2025 USAS Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award winners: Michael Rubino, David Straus, and Yonathan Zohar. The Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made contributions and broad impacts throughout their career to aquaculture in the United States through research, education, extension, and/or industry development. The award recognizes a long-time commitment of service to aquaculture that is deemed highly significant and enduring. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge our students, who make up 36% of our membership. Thirty+ student award winners from the Triennial AQUACULTURE 2025 conference are honored in a photo-packed spread with names, affiliations, and titles of their award-winning works in subsequent pages of this issue. During the Triennial, the USAS again hosted groups of local middle and high school students who were guided through the trade show, engaged in a special session led by the USAS Subunits, and invited to a catered lunch with specially-arranged guest speakers. Through these initiatives, we foster and invest in the next generation of aquaculture professionals (and USAS members)! — Michelle L. “Mick” Walsh, President The Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made contributions and broad impacts throughout their career to aquaculture in the United States through research, education, extension, and/or industry development.
10 JUNE 2025 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG CHAPTER REPORTS Asian Pacific Chapter World Aquaculture 2025 is going to take place in Hyderabad, India from November 10 to 13, 2025. This event serves as a prominent global platform that unites participants from the entire aquaculture value chain, including industry experts, academics, research scientists, students, and entrepreneurs from diverse regions worldwide. India holds a pivotal position in the global aquaculture arena, boasting significant accomplishments such as: • Being the second largest aquaculture producer in the world. • Ranking as the third largest fish producer and the fourth largest seafood exporter. • Contributing over 10% to the global seafood supply. These achievements are not merely economic; they signify a crucial source of livelihood for millions of farmers and families, particularly in rural and coastal areas. Aquaculture in India is intricately woven into its socio-economic structure and is acknowledged as an essential contributor to job creation (over 14 million individuals), food security and nutritional support. The success of this sector is credited to the collaborative efforts of policymakers, research institutions, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, fishers, and fish farmers. Their collective endeavours have facilitated fish production, enhanced productivity, and ensured sustainability within the fisheries sector. India’s aquaculture sector prioritizes: • Sustainable practices to guarantee long-term productivity and ecological equilibrium. • Community-driven projects aimed at fostering equitable benefit-sharing. • Empowering women by involving them in aquaculture initiatives and enabling their active engagement in the industry. The event will feature a diverse range of technical sessions that will cover various scientific, technical, and industrial subjects. The plenary session will begin with Dr. Manuel Barange, the plenary speaker, who is the Assistant Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and also the Director of its Fisheries and Aquaculture Division. Furthermore, some sponsored sessions also will facilitate focused discussions led by prominent organizations or institutions. These sessions aim to disseminate innovative research findings, encourage networking and collaboration, and offer insights into India’s aquaculture research and best practices, which will be especially beneficial for international participants. World Aquaculture 2025 is set to be a significant event, providing a platform for knowledge sharing, business growth, and highlighting India’s role in the global aquaculture industry. Participants will acquire valuable insights, establish international connections, and observe the future of sustainable aquaculture in practice. Participation and Submissions: • Registration: Currently open and on-going. • Abstract Submission: Actively being accepted. Deadline for abstract submission: 31st August 2025. Submission guidelines can be found on the official event website. • Visa Information: Detailed visa assistance is also provided on the event’s website. • Trade Show Booking: Space is available and open for booking by interested exhibitors. To get more information about World Aquaculture 2025, Hyderabad, India, kindly visit the website: https://was.org/meeting/ code/WAI2025 — Bibha Kumari, President Global Engagement — WAM Online Edition Trends in both on-line visitors and their unique IP addresses confirm that World Aquaculture Magazine is reaching an increasingly large global audience. Connect with them!
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2025 11 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 WAS Premier Sponsors National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Hosted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Supported by P.V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University Organized by WA25 India AD LTR CMYK.indd 1 5/10/25 05:36
12 JUNE 2025 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG CHAPTER REPORTS African Chapter The previous quarter has not only been eventful but also progressive for the Chapter on many fronts. Firstly, the Chapter membership has surged to a new record of 1,660 as reported at the end of May 2025! This represents a 21% increase from when we last reported at the beginning of the year (1,370 members). A membership recruitment blitz and campaign process were launched in the past quarter to get as many aquaculture actors as possible in Africa to join WAS and experience some of its benefits, including the voting process. This has indeed borne fruit, as we saw many new members subscribing to the WAS and subsequently participating in the just-ended WAS global voting process. In addition, this impressive growth can be attributed to the increasing popularity of WAS’s complimentary membership packages for students and small-scale aquaculture practitioners. I also foresee membership subscription surging to a new record after the upcoming World Aquaculture Safari 2025 Conference (WA25) in Uganda. I wish to congratulate Chapter Board members and our partners for this great achievement! Our challenge as a society remains to meet the needs and aspirations of these rapidly growing membership categories, which we will be working hard on in the short- to medium-term. We are on course to be hosting the WA25 in Entebbe, Uganda, from June 24 to 27, 2025. Being a global event and the second time on African soil (after Cape Town 2017), the WA25 conference programme will feature a record number of sessions, over 400 abstracts, and an exhibition featuring nearly 120 booths. A record number of private sector entities and developmental partners have registered to attend WA25 Uganda. The GIZ, which has sponsored the past three Aquaculture Africa Conferences, has upgraded its sponsorship package to Gold this time around. Thank you, GIZ! We expect attendance to reach 2,000, with many attendees coming from African countries. We always say, “There will be something for everyone” at such WAS global conferences! I wish to thank the various organising committees and teams, and the Government of Uganda for its commitment to hosting the event. Special gratitude to our partners and sponsors (whom you can see on the event website https://www. was.org/meeting/code/afraq25). WA25 has been made possible through the EU-funded TRUEFISH Project, being implemented by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO). We look forward to a great event, and I will be reporting back on the conference proceedings in my next column. Soon after WA25 Uganda, we will be launching promotional runs for the next global event in Africa – the World Aquaculture Tanzania (WA26T), scheduled for December 2026 in Dar es Salaam. Thanks to the Tanzanian government for its commitment to host this global event, happening again in Eastern Africa. We will be updating you more in the following columns. Other Chapter events and activities that have been in motion during the last quarter include the student development programmes that have seen the mobilisation of students through various initiatives, including virtual mentorship outreaches in Nigeria, Angola, and Eastern Africa. I can see a robustly structured student programme for WA25 Uganda, and a record number of students, mostly from Eastern Africa, attending. Developing future leaders in aquaculture in Africa is our special mandate, and I wish to thank all who are involved in the process. Our outreach programme to the Portuguese-speaking African (PALOPs) continues to bear fruit through the recently established WAS Portuguese platform. We also finalised our 2025 Honors and Awards process. Recipients will be honoured at the upcoming WA25 Uganda Opening Ceremony. We continue to be involved in various partnership programmes with our strategic partners such as the African Union agencies (AUDA-NEPAD and AU-IBAR), the Aquatic Blue Foods Coalition, AWFISHNET, World Bank, FAO, ANAF, and others. We also launched a value-added programme of intervention with our Corporate Sponsor Aller Aqua in February 2025, in line with the renewed sponsorship agreement (2025-2027). Looking ahead, in the next quarter, we will continue our focus on strengthening the chapter and serving aquaculture development in Africa through further involvement in various programmes with many of our partners. We also hope to feature again at the upcoming Aquaculture Ghana 2025, where we hope to launch World Aquaculture Ghana, scheduled for 2027. Other various regional outreach activities will also happen in some targeted African countries where we intend to grow our membership and launch strategic programmes to serve aquaculture in these countries. Despite these progressive developments, it is important to emphasize that Africa’s aquaculture sector is at risk due to global geopolitical events, which could further disrupt supply chains. We are aware of the ongoing global conflicts, trade dynamics and restrictions, and economic volatility, among a variety of other challenges. We are committed to finding solutions to navigate these issues and to strengthening the resilience of our aquaculture sector. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to the WAS membership for entrusting me with the position of President-Elect for WAS globally, following the recent election. I acknowledge that this is a historic first for Africa, and I am humbled by this role. I am truly thankful to the WAS Board of Directors for their support. Thank you all for your confidence in me and for the opportunity to lead the society. I also want to extend my congratulations to the other elected members of the WAS Board. I look forward to working diligently with all of you during my term! — Foluke O. Areola, President Looking ahead, in the next quarter, we will continue our focus on strengthening the chapter and serving aquaculture development in Africa through further involvement in various programmes with many of our partners.
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 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 JUNE 2025 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Aquaculture 2025 Student Travel and Presentation Award Winners Allen Pattillo and Nicole Rhody The Aquaculture 2025 conference in New Orleans, LA was a huge success with record breaking student participation. The United States Aquaculture Society (USAS) regularly gives away both pre-conference travel awards and post-conference student poster and oral presentation awards. Travel awards are intended to provide support for USAS student members to attend and present at the conference. These awards are judged based on the abstract submitted and the specific criteria for individual awards. The best student abstract award winners from each participating organization are presented below. Student Travel Awards Best Student Abstract Award Winners: American Fisheries Society – Fish Culture Section • Travis Knorr – “Beyond Brine Shrimp: Feed Attractants and Liquid Artemia Replacement Diets for the Culture of the Albino Rainbow Sharkminnow Epalzeorhynchos frenatum.” • Alex Wright – “Composition of California’s Aquaculture Industry: Disease Management Strategies and Implications for Animal Welfare.” • Hilla Turbowicz – “Exploring Plasmid-Based Hormonal Treatment to Induce Puberty in Late-Maturing Female Fish.” National Shellfisheries Association • Max Zavell – “An Estimate of Carbon Storage Capabilities from Wild and Cultured Shellfish in the Northwest Atlantic and Their Potential Inclusion in a Carbon Economy.” • Hannah Collins – “Tissue-Specific Resident and Transient Microbial Communities of the Freshwater Unionid Elliptio complanata.” • Emma Coltman – “Modeling Larval Performance of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Under Field Conditions: In Situ Size Profiles of the Food Assemblage in the Western Mississippi Sound.” United States Aquaculture Society • Nick Beswick-Seidl – “A High-Resolution Look at Milk Conch Macrostrombus costatus Fecundity and Egg Mass Morphometrics.” • Fatin Fahim – “Alleviating Ammonia Toxicity in Catfish Farming: Protective Role of Elevated Water pH on Growth and Physiological Performance.” • Kyle Wood – “Paternal Impacts on Industry-Relevant Offspring Performance Traits Using Blue Catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, Cryopreserved Sperm.” World Aquaculture Society • Leticia Cardoso Madureira Tavares – “Evaluating the Use of Agricultural By-Products as Carbon Sources for Denitrification in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems.” • Sunnia Chiang – “Effects of Soybean Meal, Enzyme Treated Soybean Meal and Corn-Fermented Protein Meal in the Diets on Grow-Out Stage of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Culturing in Pond Raceways System.” • Hectorina Rodulfo – “Limitations of Implementation of RNA interference (RNAi) in Shrimp Aquaculture.” The Aquaculture 2025 pre-conference travel awards were sponsored by our generous industry partners (Soy Aquaculture Alliance, Aquatic Equipment and Design, NxT Horizon, and Ecological Aquaculture), sister societies (American Fisheries Society-Fish Culture Section), and the USAS (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, best student abstracts, and Subunit Travel Best student abstract award winners and student spotlight presenters for Aquaculture 2025. LEFT TO RIGHT: Leticia Cardoso Madureira Tavares, Hannah Collins, Fatin Fahim, Sunnia Chiang, Hilla Turbowicz, Travis Knorr, Emma Coltman, Kyle Wood, Nick Beswick-Siedl, Alex Wright.
WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2025 15 (CONTINUED ON PAGE 17) CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Some of the USAS student subunit travel award winners were Fatin Fahim from UAPB sponsored by USAS, Kyle Wood from Auburn University sponsored by the Aquaponics Association, Samuel Garcia from UAPB sponsored by Aqualogic, and Shrijan Bairacharya from Auburn University sponsored by Hayward Flow Control. Awards). The USAS student sub-unit travel awards are also available to help cover the cost of registration for one student from each of the USAS student subunits. The travel award winners for Aquaculture 2025 are as follows. USAS Student Travel Award Winners: • Aquatic Equipment and Design Travel Award – Kyle Rafael Marcelino – “Improving Water Quality in Media-Based Aquaponic Systems with Nanobubble Aeration Technology.” • Soy Aquaculture Alliance George Martin Scholarship Award – Crystal Lodi – “Production Performance and Physiological Responses of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Fed Diets Supplementated with Soy Lecithin.” • Joint USAS / AFS-FCS Travel Award – Abdulmalik Oladipupo – “Humic Substances Combined with Butyric Acid and/ or Yeast Cell Walls Promotes Growth Performance and Resistance to Flavobacterium covae and Edwardsiella ictaluri Co-Infection in Channel Catfish Iclaturus punctatus.” • USAS Diversity Equity and Inclusion Travel Award - First Place – Jazea Kalea Smith – “Women in Virginia’s Shellfish Aquaculture Sector: A Gendered Perspective of Industry Involvement and Change.” - Runner-Up – Ayomide Taiwo – “Nurturing Future Aquaculture Professionals: Mentorship of Graduate Students Alongside High School Students.” USAS Student Subunit Travel Award Winners: • Samuel Garcia – University of Arkansas Pine Bluff – Sponsored by Aqualogic • Shrijan Bairacharya – Auburn University – Sponsored by Hayward Flow Control • Sandhya Lamichhane – Kentucky State University – Sponsored by Rangen, Inc. • Andrew Pothoven – Lake Superior State University – Sponsored by IF Anderson
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