My research interests include fish parasite systematics, taxonomy, evolution and control in aquaculture, and the interaction between bacterial pathogens and fish hosts. I have ten years’ research and practical experience in freshwater fish (carps, tilapia, and catfish) disease diagnosis and control. I use traditional morphological and molecular methods to reveal underestimated fish parasite diversity, reveal the response of opportunistic bacterial pathogens to fish host stress, and screen medical plant extracts to control fish disease in aquaculture.
My research interests include fisheries eco-environmental monitoring, essential habitat assessment, resource conservation and discrimination of the geographic origin of fishery products. I have 20 years’ research experience in corresponding conservation biology, pollution ecology, and eco-toxicology, especially through the use of bioindicators (e.g., otolith microchemistry of freshwater, diadromous and marine fishes; “Freshwater Mussel Watch” monitoring).
My current research interests include fish and shellfish health management particularly in brackishwater ecosystems. I have lead research programmes on disease control in finfish and mud crabs; surveillance and management of fish and shellfish disease in aquaculture; and development of molecular diagnostics and genomic characterisation of betanodavirus causing viral nervous necrosis in marine fish aquaculture in India. I have played a lead role in coordination of a regional proficiency testing programme for six aquatic animal disease laboratories in India in collaboration with NACA and CSIRO (Australia); and in developing diagnostic capability for exotic diseases in fish and shrimp. I am currently engaged in surveillance of disease, particularly of emerging issues in brackishwater aquaculture such as Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei in shrimp. I have interests in genomics, molecular characterisation and host-parasite interaction of shrimp microsporidians with special reference to E. hepatopenaei.
I work on water quality, red tide monitoring and site selection for marine fish culture. My recent focus is on 1) applying hydraulic modelling for determining the carrying capacity of a fish farming site to achieve sustainable mariculture, and 2) developing and applying advanced imaging and hydraulic modelling technology for red tide forecast and management.
My research interests include inland fisheries management and aquaculture development. I have 25 years research experience on culture-based fisheries development in Sri Lankan reservoirs. This has included the introduction of co-management to improve the socio-economic status of fishing communities; the development of community-based strategies to increase fish seed production to meet requirements at the national level; and the development of web-based systems to collect information related to culture-based fisheries (www.infis.gov.lk) with data input and maintenance handled by fishing communities. I am a member of the NACA Technical Advisory Committee (2015-2018) and a life member of Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
My research over the past 25 years has been focused on different aspects of marine crustacean husbandry and management with an emphasis on crustacean reproduction in relation to seed production and farming systems. My work has focussed on seed production of penaeid shrimps Penaeus monodon, P. indicus and mud crabs Scylla spp., their reproductive physiology and production systems. I have standardised and developed hatchery production of mud crab species and developed a model for land based and open water integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems. I have been principal and co-investigator for many projects related to these disciplines.
I have worked at CIBA since 1990 and currently head the Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division, leading the research programme on aquatic animal disease surveillance with special reference to emerging issues in brackishwater aquaculture. I provide expert services to the Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India, for aquatic animal quarantine, import of aquaculture inputs and related technical matters. This has included work on the import risk analysis for the introduction of Pacific white shrimp to India. I previously worked at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Cochin beginning in 1984, and carried out research on the occurrence of heterotrophic microorganisms and mercury contamination in coastal and marine waters.
