Welcome to the 2023 WorldFish Annual Report
2023 was a pivotal year for environmental action and sustainability. Amidst record-breaking heat, food systems gained global attention with 159 countries signing the Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action. This momentum, supported by the Global Stocktake and the Global Goal on Adaptation, empowers WorldFish and similar organizations to drive food system transformations.
WorldFish has been at the forefront, ready to support these initiatives with scientific innovations, digital tools, and policy-informing evidence. Our advancements in genetic aquaculture, disease diagnostics, and economic modeling highlight the potential of aquatic food systems to tackle global challenges like nutrition security, poverty alleviation, climate adaptation, and biodiversity restoration.
This report showcases our contributions and the transformative impact of our work.
As we navigate the complexities of climate change, overfishing and habitat degradation, the advancements highlighted in this annual report demonstrate the potential of scientific innovation for transformative impact.
We could not achieve these milestones without the unwavering support of our partners. Collaboration and “next generation” partnerships lie at the heart of our work. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of what is possible, driving forward innovations that make a tangible difference in the lives of millions.
We want to take this opportunity thank our partners, stakeholders, staff and communities for joining us in this vital journey. Together, we are unlocking the full potential of aquatic food systems, ensuring they continue to nourish and sustain the world’s population while preserving the health of our planet.
2023: Science and Research in Aquatic Food Systems
These articles shed light on the science and research happening at WorldFish in aquatic food systems, the transformative potential of resulting innovations and tools and the impact achieved in 2023.
Amping Up Aquaculture Gains with Genetic Insights
John Benzie, Principal Scientist
With targeted genetic enhancements in fish, we can ensure aquaculture is the backbone of local economies and nutrition goals in vulnerable countries.
Advances in Disease Diagnostics Drive Aquaculture Sustainability
Jérôme Delamare-Deboutteville, Scientist | Rodrigue Yossa, Director, Aquatic Food Biosciences | Laura Khor, Research Fellow | David Verner-Jeffreys, Senior Scientist | Mohan Chadag, Principal Scientist
Aquatic animal diseases not only undermine food and nutrition security by reducing supply, but they can also cause foodborne illness in people. This warrants the need for a One Health approach, which treats the health of animals, people and environment as interconnected.
Evidence to Turn the Tide for Small-Scale Fisheries
David Mills, WorldFish Country Lead, Timor- Leste | Patrick Smallhorn-West, Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Hampus Eriksson, Senior Scientist
In 2023, WorldFish played a key role in closing the information gap through landmark research publications that are guiding global communities toward sustaining and unlocking the full potential of small-scale fisheries.
Strengthening Climate Resilience through Information Sharing
Michelle Tigchelaar, Scientist and Climate Impact Area Lead | Peerzadi Rumana Hossain, Scientist | Edward Allison, Principal Scientist
Climate risks to aquatic food systems in low-income countries are often compounded by a lack of information and advisory services for fishers and fish farmers, limiting their ability to effectively pre-empt and adapt to evolving climate-related challenges.
The Data Revolution in Small-Scale Fisheries Management
Alex Tilley, Senior Scientist | Cristiano Rossignoli, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Impact Assessment Research Lead
A data revolution in SSF is already well underway in Timor-Leste, one of the newest, smallest and economically weakest countries in the world. Back in 2016, there was almost no reliable information about where coastal fishers went and what they caught. Not anymore.
A Gender Lens for Better Nutrition and Resilient Livelihoods
Wanjiku Gichohi, Senior Scientist and Nutrition Impact Area Lead | Rahma Adam, Scientist and Gender Impact Area Lead
In 2023, our teams helped increase scientific understanding of the links between gender, nutrition and livelihoods within aquatic food systems. This generated insights that led to high-impact interventions and resulted in tangible improvements in gender equality.
Responsive Value Chains to Accelerate Africa’s Blue Economy
Victor Siamudaala, Country Director, Zambia and Southern Africa | Netsayi Mudege, Senior Scientist | Rose Komugisha, Senior Scientist | Sunil Siriwardena, Country Lead, Nigeria | Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General and CGIAR Senior Director of Aquatic Food Systems
With Africa’s population expected to reach 2.4 billion people by 2050, demand for fish and seafood will only continue to rise, alongside the need for sustainable forms of employment for a growing number of young people.
Modeling Aquatic Food Systems of the Future
Chin Yee Chan, Scientist | Nhuong Tran, Senior Scientist
With the increased recognition of its nutritional benefits, demand for aquatic foods has been increasing. According to recent research, it is expected to double by 2050. However, anticipating where and how demand will grow, and what factors might impact aquatic food systems, will determine whether this demand is sustainably met.
NextGen Partnerships for Greater Impact
Ann Fleming, Director, Programs and Impact
Today, WorldFish researchers are tackling socioecological problems that pose far more complexity and uncertainty than when WorldFish was first established nearly 50 years ago. Food systems in countries are under stress, and the livelihoods of women and fishers, farmers and traders face uncertain futures. We need an accelerated path for change.
Emerging Breakthroughs in Aquatic Food Systems
WorldFish scientists are working at the cutting edge of research into aquatic food science with several breakthrough innovations.
Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway - Delivering a Triple Win for Nature, People and Climate
Through WorldFish’s AABS project, a pioneering South-South collaboration platform is being developed between Asia and Africa. The aim is to adapt and scale proven aquatic food systems technologies through knowledge sharing and co-learning across the two continents.
Our Donors
Academic or Research Institute
Mississippi State University
University of Wollongong
Synergos Institute
Rajiv Gandhi Center for Aquaculture
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
CGIAR Center
International Center for Tropical Agriculture
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
International Rice Research Institute
International Potato Center
Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Minderoo Foundation
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
Government Institution
United States Agency for International Development
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
European Commission
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Malawi
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare India
Indian Council for Agricultural Research and Min. of Agriculture Department of Agricultural Research and Education
Assam Rural Infrastructure & Agricultural Services Society
West Africa Trade and Investment Hub
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Timor-Leste
Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Odisha
International Development Research Centre
Bangladesh Local Government Engineering Department
International and Regional Organizations
CGIAR System Organization
Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund Manager's Office
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Pacific Community (SPC)
Save the Children
World Bank
Southern African Development Community
Financial Institutions
African Development Bank
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Livelihoods and Food Security Fund
Private Sector
MSC India Consulting Private Limited
COFREPECHE
De Heus Limited Liability Company
Skretting Egypt
US Soybean Export Council
Others
Institute of Food Technologists
About WorldFish
WorldFish is a leading international research organization working to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods through aquatic food systems that are sustainable, equitable, and inclusive.
It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to enable the delivery of transformative innovations, tools, and practices to advance aquatic food systems through its cutting edge research, evidence for policymaking, and knowledge co-creation.
With a global presence in 27 countries across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, and growing, WorldFish has established itself as a global leader in research and innovation in the realm of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries.
For more information please visit worldfishcentre.org
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