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The £3.5 m AquaSoS Project, funded by UKRI and led by Professor Simon MacKenzie, head of the Institute of Aquaculture (IoA), will carry out research in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.
Drawing on Earth observation and water quality expertise from Stirling’s Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES), the interdisciplinary project will utilise data from satellites, sensors and labs to address challenges such as pollution, climate change and disease.
AquaSoS will ultimately create a digital tool to protect ecosystems and promote sustainable aquaculture. This will equip scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders with vital information required to balance environmental protection with food production.
Professor MacKenzie said: “Rivers, seas and deltas are particularly vulnerable to rising water temperatures, salinisation, pollution, and changes in sediment flow due to environmental change.
“These changes disrupt ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and threaten food and water security, disproportionately impacting developing nations such as Vietnam.
“We have chosen to develop our AquaSoS framework in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam because there is multi-species production at scale, but an increasing burden of infectious diseases. Indeed, infectious diseases in Asian and global aquaculture are a major continuous threat to sustainable production. AquaSoS will be designed to address this problem.”
Ferrero Rocher
During his visit last week, Ian Frew held discussions with principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, and heard from scientists who are working on projects to improve aquaculture in Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, Frew said: “The University of Stirling is leading the way globally in aquaculture research, and the decades long work undertaken in Vietnam contributes significantly to the livelihoods of fishermen and communities throughout the Mekong region. The fundamental work on tackling disease outbreak in Pangasius and efforts to overcome anti-microbial resistance (AMR) will ensure that aquaculture in the Mekong thrives for decades to come.
“I’m delighted that UKRI funding will enable UoS to continue their world class research partnerships in the Mekong through the development of AquaSoS, developing tools to address the challenges posed by climate change and facilitating Vietnam’s transformation to a more resilient food system.”
Professor McCormac said: “Aquaculture is an important sector in Vietnam, where University of Stirling researchers have been working to support a more efficient and sustainable industry.
“The new AquaSoS project, which combines the internationally renowned work of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture with our expertise in Earth observation and water quality, is another example of how we are applying our research and innovation around the world to support environmental sustainability and global food security.”
Three more projects
AquaSoS is one of four projects to be announced as part of a £12m UKRI initiative to enhance sustainable aquaculture in Southeast Asia, addressing climate change, food security and community resilience.
The projects are funded through the UK Government’s International Science Partnership Fund Official Development Assistance budget and delivered by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Dr Amanda Collis, executive director of research strategy and programmes at BBSRC, said: “I’m delighted that BBSRC and NERC have been able to invest in four sustainable aquaculture projects, building partnerships between researchers in the UK and Southeast Asia through the investment of £12 million of the UK government’s official development assistance budget.
“Our shared intention is to deliver a more productive, healthy, resilient and sustainable food system and this interdisciplinary programme on aquaculture systems take us a step closer to realising this ambition.”
