In this issue:
Seaweed farming in India has long been confined to open coastal waters. But researchers are now proving that commercially valuable species can thrive in brackishwater ponds, lagoons, and tanks, especially when grown alongside shrimp, mud crab, and finfish. This article from ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture explains how integrating fast-growing Gracilaria and Ulva species into existing farms turns waste nutrients into a second cash crop, improves water quality, and raises the survival and quality of the animals farmed with them. It covers the most promising species, practical cultivation methods, and real field results: more than a three-fold increase in seaweed biomass, shrimp survival above 95%, and reduced feed conversion ratios. It also looks honestly at the hurdles - seed supply, salinity swings, disease, and pricing - that must be solved to scale up.
]]>FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 provides data and insights on the current challenges and opportunities shaping the global seafood sector. This edition focuses on the FAO’s "Blue Transformation" strategy, outlining how field projects and policy initiatives contribute to global food security, poverty alleviation, and economic growth.
The report has three main sections:
The publication serves as a factual resource for policymakers, researchers, industry actors, and consumers tracking the development of sustainable aquatic food systems. You can explore the data that SOFIA 2026 is based on in our Aquaculture Statistics Dashboard.
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Saudi Arabia’s coastal communities are opening new pathways for women in aquaculture and fisheries. Under the REEF programme led by MEWA, recent pilots have shifted participation from office-based roles toward hands-on production and processing. Seaweed farming trials of Gracilaria multipartita in Jeddah and the Farasan Islands show why: accessible tasks, modest equipment needs, and suitability for community-run operations. In parallel, a women-led seafood processing initiative in the Farasan Islands has provided training, essential tools, and branding skills, improving hygiene and product quality and motivating participants to form cooperatives; a tuna-canning exercise highlighted the potential for higher value capture.
]]>Cweed Aquasolutions, a spin-off from Universiti Malaya, works with coastal communities to develop seaweed cultivation through integrated multi-trophic aquaculture. The initiative repurposes abandoned shrimp ponds in Peninsular Malaysia, providing training and technical support for farmers to start seaweed farming. Cweed Aquasolutions also buys back harvested product, creating a sustainable livelihood model that links community development with nature-based aquaculture solutions. This pitch was presented Adibi M. Nor, CTO of Cweed Aquaculture Solutions.
]]>LEAPS is a climate-smart aquaculture initiative in Java that combines shrimp farming with mangrove restoration to strengthen coastal community resilience. Implemented under the AQUADAPT program with funding from Global Affairs Canada and IDRC, the project promotes inclusive, nature-based approaches for small-scale shrimp aquaculture. By integrating real-time IoT water quality monitoring, wastewater treatment and gender-responsive practices, LEAPS reduces greenhouse gas emissions while restoring mangroves and supporting communities. The project also informs evidence-based policy, helping scale sustainable aquaculture solutions across the region. Aligning shrimp farming with ecosystem restoration, LEAPS supports both livelihoods and climate adaptation. This pitch was presented by Rocky Pairunan and Burhanuddin Zein.
]]>Mariska Bottema (WorldFish) and Rebecca McMillan (IDRC) discuss the concept of nature-based aquaculture, why it matters for innovation and entrepreneurship, and how it can support ecosystems, communities, and profitability. Topics include: Defining nature-based aquaculture and its connection to nature-based solutions; criteria such as climate resilience, ecosystem health, reduced antimicrobial use, and inclusivity; global examples: mangrove–shrimp integration, women-led seaweed farming, integrated multi-trophic systems, and rice–fish farming; supportive technologies including IoT, renewable energy, and life cycle assessment; and opportunities for entrepreneurs: resilient farms, reduced risks, lower costs, premium markets, funding, and partnerships.
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The increasing demand for cost-effective and sustainable aquafeeds has prompted interest in alternative protein sources to replace fishmeal. Wolffia globosa (duckweed), is a fast-growing, rootless duckweed with high protein content and favorable nutrient composition, offers significant potential as a feed ingredient in aquaculture. Studies conducted at the College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University in Tripura, India, demonstrated the feasibility of using Wolffia as a primary feed for rohu fry, yielding promising growth and health outcomes comparable to those achieved with conventional formulated feeds.
Beyond its nutritional value, Wolffia contributes to environmental sustainability through phytoremediation, improving water quality in aquaculture systems, and reducing the reliance on fishmeal and chemical fertilisers. Challenges remain, particularly due to anti-nutritional factors common in plant-based feeds, but these can be mitigated through thermal and enzymatic treatments. With proper processing, Wolffia globosa emerges as a viable, eco-friendly protein source for aquaculture, supporting both profitability and environmental stewardship.
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