Surabaya – The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Airlangga (FPK UNAIR), hosted the Asian Fish Welfare Network (AFWN) Project Workshop on 21–22 April 2026 in Surabaya, marking the official launch of AFWN in Indonesia and reinforcing international collaboration to advance farmed fish welfare as a foundation for sustainable aquaculture. The workshop signaled a strategic step toward integrating science-based welfare principles into national aquaculture practices while strengthening Indonesia’s global academic and research partnerships.
The two-day workshop was organized by the University of Stirling through its Institute of Aquaculture as part of the AFWN 2025–2028 project, which focuses on Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Held at Fakultas Perikanan dan Kelautan Universitas Airlangga in Surabaya, the first day marked a significant milestone in expanding international networks dedicated to improving fish welfare standards across Asia. The launch in Indonesia reflects growing recognition that aquaculture sustainability must be supported by measurable welfare indicators, scientific research, and cross-sector collaboration.
The event was officially opened by the Vice Dean III of FPK UNAIR, Annur Ahadi Abdillah, S.Pi., M.Si., Ph.D., who expressed appreciation for FPK UNAIR’s role as co-host of this international workshop. He emphasized that participation in AFWN represents a strategic initiative to strengthen academic capacity, research excellence, and global partnerships in aquaculture. A welcoming address was also delivered by Prof. Dr. Ir. I Nyoman Suyasa, M.S. from Politeknik Ahli Usaha Perikanan, who warmly received the AFWN project team from the University of Stirling, including Prof. Dave Little, Dr. Simão Zacarias, and Tanya Kay. He highlighted the importance of synergy among universities, vocational institutions, government agencies, and international partners in developing a competitive and sustainable national aquaculture production system.
In the main session, Dr. Simão Zacarias outlined the background and objectives of AFWN, including research funding opportunities and open avenues for international collaboration involving Indonesian institutions. He explained that fish welfare encompasses both physical and mental conditions that can be measured through scientific indicators such as stress responses, water quality parameters, stocking density, feed management, and handling, harvesting, and slaughtering methods. Practical examples were presented, including the application of stunning techniques prior to slaughter to minimize stress and the implementation of routine water quality monitoring systems, both of which have been shown to reduce mortality rates and improve product quality. These approaches demonstrate that welfare-oriented practices not only address ethical considerations but also enhance production efficiency and economic performance.
In the Indonesian context, existing practices such as the implementation of Good Aquaculture Practices (CBIB), proper stocking density management in tilapia and catfish farming, and improved aeration systems in intensive ponds have shown progress toward better welfare standards. However, these efforts still require reinforcement through standardized indicators and data-driven evaluation systems. AFWN encourages the development of national fish welfare protocols that can be integrated into certification standards, educational curricula, and industry policies. Such initiatives are expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian aquaculture products in global markets while promoting a responsible and science-based production image.
Interactive discussions facilitated by Prof. Dave Little and Dr. Zacarias underscored the need for an interdisciplinary approach. Fish welfare is not solely a matter of aquatic animal health, but also relates to nutrition, farming technology, environmental management, farmers’ socio-economic conditions, public policy, and supply chain dynamics. Key discussion points included the challenges of implementing welfare principles among small-scale farmers, limited scientific data on fish stress and mortality in Indonesia, handling practices during harvest and transportation, and the integration of welfare principles into national regulations and certification frameworks. AFWN’s primary concern is to build an evidence-based approach that is practical and applicable in real-world farming conditions. Improving fish welfare should not be perceived as an additional burden for farmers, but rather as a strategy to enhance production efficiency and product quality.
During the group working session titled “Development Pathways to Support Fish Welfare in Indonesia’s Aquaculture Production Chain,” participants identified gaps in current practices, formulated research priorities, and drafted a collaborative national roadmap for future implementation. The workshop brought together more than 60 participants, including lecturers, researchers, postgraduate students, and representatives from industry and government institutions. For FPK UNAIR, the program provides strategic benefits, including opportunities for international research collaboration with the University of Stirling, access to research funding information and master’s scholarship opportunities, and the potential development of joint research projects, academic exchanges, and reputable scientific publications. From a research perspective, AFWN opens new thematic areas such as local fish stress indicators, humane slaughter method evaluations, and socio-economic studies on welfare implementation among small-scale farmers. In education, fish welfare concepts hold strong potential to be integrated into aquaculture, fish health, and production management curricula under a One Welfare approach. Through this workshop, FPK UNAIR reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by strengthening international partnerships and advancing sustainable aquaculture research that delivers tangible impact for Indonesia’s fisheries sector.
Writer : AAZ
Editor : TPA
