Tropical Aquaculture Research

Aquaculture is the world's fastest-growing food-producing sector and the fastest-growing primary industry sector in the Indo-Pacific. It is also recognised as part of the solution to regional food security. Increasing global demand for aquaculture products is expected to see production for human consumption exceed that of wild fisheries by 2018 (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO). The estimated demand for fish across the Pacific alone will increase from 245,000 tonnes in 2010 to 605,000 tonnes in 2030, an increase of 250 per cent.

To meet demand through continued, sustainable industry growth, requires overcoming numerous challenges through scientific development. These include: improving yields from existing aquaculture systems; developing new aquaculture species; and building sustainability into aquaculture practices. Much of this innovation will occur in tropical areas where aquaculture is largely underdeveloped.

Tropical Aquaculture is a relatively new discipline at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). A professional team provides internationally-recognised expertise in:

• understanding the biology, ecology and culture requirements of target species and development of culture systems appropriate for local conditions and compatible with local lifestyles and customs;

• improving production of farmed tropical species through improved husbandry techniques and culture systems, greater understanding of nutritional requirements supporting feed development and improved feeding strategies, selective breeding and domestication of new aquaculture species;

• capacity building with regional partner institutions and specialised training of future tropical aquaculturists, industry and government leaders;

• researching and defining the socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects of tropical aquaculture and its uptake by coastal communities.