Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health in Southeast Asia

 
 

Copyright

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO License.

This license requires that reusers of the material give credit to the licensor, the Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. Reusers may distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, for noncommercial purposes only and not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses the reuser. If others modify or adapt the material, they must license the modified material under identical terms.

Recent Submissions

  • Sustainable aquaculture in Indonesia 

    Wigiani, Dwi Putri; Wijianti, Hani; Yuniarsih, Erna (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 2026-07)
    Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world, has enormous potential for the development of freshwater, brackishwater, and marine aquaculture. Despite its vast resources, only 7.98%, 27.74%, and 1.46% respectively of the freshwater, brackishwater and mariculture areas have been utilized. This paper explores the advances in aquaculture practices, including biofloc technology for freshwater species, innovative strategies for shrimp and saline tilapia in brackish water systems, and seaweed mariculture. Between 2022 and 2023, a notable increase in the production of key commodities such as catfish, shrimp, and seaweed was reported. This growth can be attributed to the adoption of sustainable improvements in practices and technologies. The integration of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP), revitalization of idle cultivation areas, and adoption of sustainable strategies aim to enhance productivity, minimize environmental impacts, and ensure food security. With this, Indonesia's aquaculture advancements provide a model for sustainable resource management and global leadership in aquatic food production.

  • Sustainable aquaculture practices in Cambodia 

    Somnea, Outh; Somony, Thay (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 2026-07)
    Cambodia's aquaculture sector plays a vital role in food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development. It contributes significantly to the national GDP and supplies approximately 75% of the animal protein consumed by Cambodians. Historically reliant on wild fisheries, Cambodia has undergone rapid growth in aquaculture, with production increasing from 143,000 tonnes in 2015 to 320,280 tonnes in 2024. This expansion is driven by rising demand and strong government support under the Rectangular Strategy Phase IV. The sector includes inland aquaculture systems (pond, cage, and rice-fish) and emerging mariculture activities (sea cage and shellfish farming). Key species in inland aquaculture include Pangasius catfish, snakeheads, tilapia, and carps, while mariculture focuses on high-value species like groupers and sea bass. Despite its rapid growth, the aquaculture sector faces challenges such as high feed costs (comprising 50–70 % of production expenses), environmental degradation, limited technical knowledge, and regulatory gaps. The reliance on imported feed and pollution from intensive farming are critical concerns. However, opportunities lie in sustainable mariculture expansion, use of alternative protein sources, and investments to improve infrastructure. Strengthening research, capacity building, and policy frameworks is essential for long-term sustainability. With strategic investments and adoption of best practices, Cambodia’s aquaculture sector can improve productivity, enhance rural development, and strengthen its competitiveness in regional markets.

  • Aquaculture systems in Brunei Darussalam 

    Khoo, Tekying (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 2026-07)
    Brunei Darussalam’s aquaculture industry is rapidly developing, with peak production exceeding USD 44 million in 2021 and total fisheries output achieving an 88% self-sufficiency rate. The marine shrimp industry is the dominant sector, accounting to over 75% of the country’s aquaculture production. The Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei is the most farmed species, while other cultured shrimps include the black tiger shrimp (P. monodon) and the blue shrimp (P. stylirostris). In addition to shrimp farming, a variety of marine fishes are cultured in floating sea cages in both inshore and offshore waters of Brunei Darussalam. These include Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer), pompano (Trachinotus blochii), groupers (Epinephelus spp.), and snappers (Lutjanus spp.). The freshwater aquaculture industry is smaller by comparison but recorded the highest growth, and the main cultured species are red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.), pangasius, and the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Culture systems typically range from open earthen ponds (partially and fully lined) to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or fiberglass tanks, concrete raceways, and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). There are ongoing research collaborations with higher learning institutions to improve the aquaculture production through the adoption of technologies such as the use of Internet of Things (IoT) for water quality monitoring and management, affordable Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) for fish culture, and the development of hybrid solar-powered aeration systems for grow-out ponds. Despite these advancements, there remains a gap between laboratory-scale research and its commercial application, and the adoption of technology at present is still modest. To address this, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) is working closely with relevant institutions to conduct researches that have significant impact on the aquaculture industry

  • Promotion of sustainable aquaculture and aquatic animal health in Southeast Asia: Proceedings of the international workshop on the promotion of sustainable aquaculture and aquatic animal health in Southeast Asia, 12–14 March 2025, Iloilo City, Philippines 

    de la Peña, Leobert D.; Huervana, Joana Joy D.; Aya, Frolan; Altamirano, Jon; Amar, Edgar (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 2026-07)
    This volume contains the proceedings of the International Workshop on the Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health in Southeast Asia (SAHSEA). Convened by the Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD) with support from the Government of Japan Trust Fund (JTF), the workshop serves as a key milestone reviewing regional progress and mapping future collaborative strategies. The publication compiles country reports from SEAFDEC member nations alongside research presentations detailing status reports, emerging challenges, and technological interventions in tropical aquaculture. Key thematic areas covered include seed supply stabilization, broodstock and larval quality management, cost-efficient aquafeed development, biosecurity protocols, transboundary aquatic animal disease surveillance, and community-based sustainable production systems. Synthesizing regional expert insights and policy recommendations, this document aims to guide scientists, aquaculture practitioners, and policymakers toward building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable aquatic food systems in Southeast Asia.