The University of Stirling has secured over GBP 2 million in funding to lead a major international project aimed at improving the welfare of farmed fish in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The three-year initiative, led by the University’s Institute of Aquaculture, has received US$2.7 million from US-based charity Open Philanthropy. The funding will support research, education and outreach in one of the world’s largest aquaculture-producing regions.
“Across Asia there are serious welfare issues that affect millions of aquatic animals and there is an urgent need to drive change,” said Professor Dave Little, deputy head of the Institute.
“We hope that this significant research funding will help build on our work to date and promote aquatic animal welfare as both an ethical and economically important issue.”
This project expands on previous work funded by Open Philanthropy in Thailand and Vietnam, and now includes Indonesia. It aims to strengthen local fish welfare research communities, provide training and improve practices across aquaculture supply chains, particularly at harvest and slaughter points where welfare concerns are most acute.
“The team has prioritised building and supporting local fish welfare research communities,” commented Michelle Lavery, programme associate at Open Philanthropy.
“This kind of groundwork is important for fish welfare now and into the future.”
As well as the field research, the funding will support six fully funded Master’s studentships for candidates from the three countries to study at Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture.
The announcement comes as the University prepares to open its £17 million National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, a major new facility that will reinforce the UK’s global leadership in sustainable aquaculture.
