November 7, 2023
AquaPolis programme aims to boost Singapore fish farming
In a bid to enhance Singapore's aquaculture sector, local scientists are embarking on the AquaPolis Programme, which focuses on three key fish species: barramundi (Asian sea bass), red snapper, and marine tilapia, The Straits Times reported.
The programme, spearheaded by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, aims to conduct research in various aspects of aquaculture.
Officially launching with an agreement signed at the Global Agri-Food Scientific Symposium, the AquaPolis Programme delves into fish breeding and genetics, nutrition, environmental concerns, and the development of talent in the field of aquaculture.
Singapore, a land-scarce nation, is striving to increase its seafood production, as fish is an efficient protein source. Most of Singapore's fish farms are located offshore along the Johor Strait. In 2022, local farms produced 4,400 tonnes of seafood, accounting for nearly 8% of the country's seafood consumption.
To boost the aquaculture sector, key challenges such as addressing common diseases and parasites, enhancing the survival of newly hatched fish, and minimising environmental impacts need to be addressed.
One of the participating organisations, Singapore Aquaculture Technologies, hopes that the programme will lead to the development of an mRNA vaccine against the scale drop disease virus, which can cause significant losses in Asian sea bass populations during outbreaks.
AquaPolis is part of the broader Singapore Aquaculture Plan, aiming to improve the aquaculture industry in the nation. The programme is also exploring the human gut microbiome's influence on fish health, similar to its impact on human health.
The AquaPolis Programme is taking a comprehensive approach to strengthen the local aquaculture industry, focusing on scientific research, talent development, and addressing challenges faced by fish farms in Singapore.
- The Straits Times
