Theme 1
Diseases in Aquatic Animals
This theme includes diseases affecting aquatic animals in the wild or aquaculture ponds. More relevance will be given to recurring diseases that cause significant economic burdens to aquaculturists. The scope of this theme includes;
(i) diseases caused by coexisting organisms, e.g. viruses, bacteria, fungi, protistans, metazoans; characterization of pathogens
(ii) diseases due to internal circumstances (innate, idiopathic, genetic)
(iii) Stress and physical injuries
(iv) Epizootiology
(v) Parasitology.
Theme 2
Disease Diagnosis in Aquatic Animals
Disease diagnosis is one of the most crucial step in aquaculture disease management. It enables the timely treatment of aquaculture diseases by identifying the external disease symptoms and aquaculture pathogens thereby playing a vital role in reducing the loss incurred to the fish stock, thus contributing to food security and economic improvement of aquaculture farmer groups – a major goal in sustainable development. AQUMAP 25 will focus on successful disease diagnosis which includes assessment of environmental quality, clinical signs, gross anatomical and fine pathological changes, hematology and the current trends like Nucleic acid-based and antibody based diagnostics with prime focus on early disease diagnosis.
Theme 3
Sustainable Aquaculture Production Systems
The theme focuses on implementing eco-friendly practices in aquaculture to ensure long-term sustainability. It covers diverse operational systems such as extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive approaches designed to meet location-specific needs. The session emphasizes sustainable feed management, exploring zero-water exchange, recirculating aquaculture systems, biofloc technology, race-ways, aquaponics, and integrated multitrophic aquaculture as effective solutions for maximizing biomass production while minimizing environmental impact. It also emphasizes an ecosystem- based approach in aquaculture practices that balance production with environmental conservation, which is crucial for feeding the world’s growing population, especially in the Asia Pacific region.
Theme 4
Aquaculture Medicine in Practice
Aquaculture medicine is a holistic concept which is not only about aquatic health management but also comprises the approaches for growth promotion and processing, augmentation of natural aquatic productivity, manipulation of reproduction, feed formulation and soil and water management. Effective management of aquatic health is made possible by combining prophylactic and therapeutic approaches such as antimicrobial chemicals, antimicrobial peptides, vaccination and immune stimulation, gut microbiome manipulation using probiotics, microbial antagonistic probiotics and prebiotics, quorum quenchers and phage therapy. AQUAMAP25 emphasizes on the impediments and drawbacks in aquaculture medicine practices in Asia-Pacific, with a vision to put forward strategies for its effective implementation.
Theme 5
Aquatic Animal Health Management
The emphasis is on preventative health care of aquatic animals and maintenance of healthy environment that reduces the risk of disease outbreaks or production losses and to ensure sustainable and healthy production systems. The core task is on development of strategies in aquatic animal health management through technological innovations and to enhance the health of aquatic animals by improving water quality, to reduce or even eliminate the occurrence of certain diseases for higher farming efficiency. Other important criteria include the usage of safer aquatic animal health medicinal products and implementation of novel bioremediation technologies for the maintenance of healthy bacterial community in aquaculture systems.
Theme 6
Policies, Regulations, and Implementations
The evolution of aquaculture into a globally significant sector for food security and blue economy has necessitated the development of policies and regulations to address the challenges of transboundary movements, health and disease management, environmental pollution control, and climate change adaptation. The current national legislation and strategies require amendment to ensure sustainability and biosecurity. The incorporation of scientific principles and risk analysis frameworks within existing policies, along with the formulation of new rules and regulations to address deficiencies, would promote sustainable and environmentally responsible aquaculture expansion. This session aims to examine the limitations of current aquaculture policies and provide an outline of potential solutions for their improvement.
Dr. Prem Kumar, a Senior Scientist in the Finfish Culture Division at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), is recognized for his contributions to finfish aquaculture and sustainable fish farming practices. His research focuses on advancing breeding, seed production, and grow-out techniques for economically important finfish species, essential for enhancing fish farming efficiency and profitability. Dr. Kumar has been instrumental in developing improved methods for breeding and rearing native fish species, supporting biodiversity conservation while boosting aquaculture productivity in India.
Dr. David Verner-Jeffreys is a Senior Scientist at WorldFish and an esteemed expert in aquatic animal health and aquaculture biosecurity. With a background in fish pathology and disease management, Dr. Verner-Jeffreys has dedicated his career to developing solutions that enhance disease prevention and sustainable health practices in aquaculture systems globally. His research focuses on combating infectious diseases that impact fish farming, particularly in developing countries, where aquaculture plays a crucial role in food security and livelihoods.
Dr. M. Shashi Shekhar, is a distinguished expert in aquatic animal health and environmental management in brackishwater aquaculture. With extensive experience in fish and shrimp health management, his work addresses critical challenges in disease prevention, environmental sustainability, and biosecurity, contributing to the growth and resilience of India’s brackishwater aquaculture sector. By emphasizing biosecurity, environmental monitoring, and eco-friendly health management practices, Dr. Shekhar has contributed to enhancing the resilience and sustainability of shrimp and fish farming.
Dr. K.V. Rajendran is a prominent aquaculture scientist at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) in India, recognized for his expertise in fish health management and aquatic animal disease control. With a focus on advancing disease diagnostics, biosecurity, and sustainable health practices in aquaculture, Dr. Rajendran’s work has greatly contributed to improving the resilience and productivity of India’s aquaculture sector. His research addresses major challenges related to fish and shellfish health, particularly in diagnosing and managing viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases that impact farmed species.
Dr. T. Raja Swaminathan is a renowned scientist at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) in Kochi, India, with expertise in fish health management, aquaculture biosecurity, and disease diagnostics. His work focuses on addressing challenges related to aquatic animal health, particularly in ensuring sustainable and safe practices in India’s aquaculture industry. Dr. Swaminathan is recognized for his contributions to the detection and control of fish and shellfish diseases, which are critical for enhancing productivity and reducing economic losses in aquaculture.
Dr. Neeraj Sood, a distinguished scientist at the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR) in India, is recognized for his work in fish genetics, conservation, and sustainable aquaculture practices. His research focuses on the genetic characterization and conservation of fish biodiversity, which is critical for protecting valuable genetic resources and promoting sustainable aquaculture. By identifying and cataloging fish species and their genetic diversity, Dr. Sood has contributed to the preservation of native fish species, ensuring that these resources can support resilient and productive aquaculture systems in India.
Dr. B. Santhosh, a leading scientist at the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), is known for his impactful contributions to marine aquaculture and coastal fisheries development in India. His work focuses on advancing sustainable practices in mariculture, particularly in seed production, hatchery technology, and the cultivation of high-value marine species like finfish, shellfish, and sea cucumbers. Dr. Santhosh’s research has played a critical role in supporting livelihood opportunities for coastal communities by promoting aquaculture as a viable and environmentally sustainable industry.
Dr. Victoria Alday-Sanz is a renowned aquaculture expert at National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA) in Saudi Arabia, recognized globally for her work in shrimp health management, biosecurity, and sustainable aquaculture practices. With a background in veterinary science and extensive experience in aquatic animal health, Dr. Alday-Sanz has played a critical role in advancing shrimp farming practices to enhance productivity while maintaining rigorous biosecurity standards. Her work is instrumental in addressing major health challenges in shrimp aquaculture, particularly in the prevention and management of viral and bacterial diseases that can impact large-scale operations.
J.M.P.K. Jayasinghe is a distinguished figure in aquaculture, known for his contributions to sustainable fish farming practices, particularly in Asia. With a focus on innovative aquaculture technologies and resource management, he has dedicated his career to improving the productivity, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of aquaculture systems. Jayasinghe has been involved in developing best practices that help small-scale and commercial farmers enhance yields while minimizing the environmental impact, which is crucial for both economic growth and ecological health.
Dr. Vasant Kripa is the former Secretary of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) in Chennai, India, and a highly respected scientist in marine biology, coastal aquaculture, and environmental management. With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Kripa has been instrumental in developing policies and practices that promote sustainable and responsible coastal aquaculture in India. Her work has focused on balancing the growth of aquaculture with environmental conservation, ensuring that coastal ecosystems remain resilient and productive.
Dr. K.M. Shankar is the Vice Chairman of the Asian Fisheries Society, Indian Branch, and former Dean of the College of Fisheries in Mangalore, India. A highly respected figure in fish health management and aquaculture, Dr. Shankar has contributed significantly to advancing aquaculture science, particularly in aquatic animal health, biotechnology, and sustainable fisheries. His research focuses on pathogen detection, disease management, and biosecurity in aquaculture, addressing key challenges to improve productivity and sustainability in the industry.
Prof. Arun K. Dhar is a Professor and Director of the Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory at the School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, USA. An expert in aquaculture pathology and virology, Prof. Dhar is highly regarded for his research on diseases affecting shrimp and other aquatic species. His work focuses on identifying, understanding, and managing viral pathogens that pose significant threats to aquaculture industries globally.
Dr. Iddya Karunasagar is a distinguished Indian microbiologist and food safety expert, known for his pioneering work in aquatic microbiology, aquaculture health, and public health. His research focuses on seafood safety and disease management in aquaculture, with significant contributions to understanding and controlling microbial pathogens, such as Vibrio species, which affect marine organisms. His work has helped develop diagnostic tools and strategies that promote sustainability in aquaculture and ensure safer seafood.
Dr. Pramoda Kumar Sahoo is the Director-cum-ICAR National Professor at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA). A leading expert in fish health management and aquatic animal diseases, Dr. Sahoo’s work focuses on advancing disease control, immunology, and molecular biology in freshwater aquaculture. His research is pivotal in improving the health, resilience, and sustainability of India’s aquaculture industry, which plays a vital role in food security and rural livelihoods.
Dr. Rohana Subasinghe is the Managing Director of FutureFish, a consultancy specializing in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development. With over 30 years of experience in aquaculture, aquatic animal health, and international fisheries, Dr. Subasinghe is a globally recognized expert dedicated to promoting sustainable practices that support food security, environmental protection, and socioeconomic growth.
Dr. Eduardo Leano is the Director General of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), an intergovernmental organization focused on sustainable aquaculture development in the Asia-Pacific region. With a strong background in aquatic animal health and pathology, Dr. Leano has dedicated his career to advancing sustainable aquaculture practices, improving disease management, and promoting biosecurity within the industry.