The Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA), released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) earlier in February this year emphasises on importance of preventive approaches for the sustainable expansion and intensification of aquaculture.
Aquaculture is rapidly growing and has emerged as the leading food production sector globally. This aquaculture growth is fueled by a steadily increasing global demand for aquatic foods. India ranks third in aquaculture production worldwide, and second in global aquaculture production.
The Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture provide a clear framework to address the rapid growth of aquaculture and its associated challenges. They include recommendations on governance, sustainable resource use, ecosystem and farm management, social responsibility, policies, market access, and trade.
The GSA promotes the adoption of preventive measures such as good farming practices, biosecurity protocols, early detection and control measures to minimise pathogen exposure, vaccination, proper feed management, and the use of pathogen-free, disease-resistant, and healthy seeds.
Preventive approaches focus on reducing the occurrence of diseases, thereby minimising reliance on antibiotics. Prevention offers multiple advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, high returns on investment, and a sustainable pathway for the future.
The Guidelines emphasise on strengthening national capacities for diagnosing, preventing, and mitigating health risks in aquaculture. This includes conducting risk analyses, adopting integrated pest and disease management practices, and preparing rapid responses to abnormal mortality events. Cooperation among nations and regional aquaculture stakeholders is crucial for meeting international standards and managing transboundary diseases. Timely sharing of information on disease outbreaks and statuses is essential to achieving this goal.
Along with prevention measures, guidelines highlight the need to reduce reliance on antimicrobials by promoting alternatives like vaccines, immunostimulants, phage therapy, and medicinal plants. They emphasise on sustainable practices, such as non-fed aquaculture, recirculating systems, and integrated aquaculture. These approaches aim to reduce water and land usage, minimise waste, and improve productivity while lowering costs and feed waste. Aquatic feed must be safe and free from contamination by pathogens, parasites, heavy metals, and other harmful substances. The guidelines recommend responsible sourcing of feed and the minimal use of antibiotics and chemicals, adhering to recommended animal feed standards. Additionally, they highlight the importance of developing alternative feed ingredients with high nutritional value and improving feed processing to support global aquaculture growth.
The GSA underscores the importance of regular training for authorities and aquaculture workers on aquatic health and welfare management practices. It encourages support for research and innovation in aquaculture and ensuring that small-scale producers have affordable and easy access to aquatic health support services through on-farm demonstrations and information dissemination.
Prevention strategies play a key role in reducing infections and disease outbreaks by taking proactive measures. This reduces the need for antimicrobials, lowering the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global health concern. It also supports sustainable aquaculture practices, leading to a healthier and more resilient future.
The Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture by FAO is available at: https://icsf.net/resources/guidelines-for-sustainable-aquaculture-by-fao-2025/