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Corel Lifecare, the Indian aquaculture innovation firm announced that it has signed a long-term research and development (R&D) agreement with Switzerland-based the Aqua Consortium. The strategic alliance will co-develop and solutions for persistent biological challenges facing the global aquaculture sector, specifically targeting parasitic infestations in finfish and shrimp.
The partnership combines Corel Lifecare’s expertise in bio-formulations with the Aqua Consortium’s technical oversight. A primary focus of the collaboration is the development of next-generation management strategies for copepod infestations. These "silent killers" of the industry cause significant global economic losses through increased mortality and reduced growth rates.
The joint initiative targets two specific parasitic threats:
- Argulus (Fish Lice) Addressing widespread freshwater infestations in Indian major carps, such as rohu and catla, to prevent ulcerative damage.
- Caligus (Sea Lice): Developing specialised solutions for the high-value salmon industry, where sea lice remain the primary pathogen challenge.
Expanding the Scope to Shrimp Culture
In addition to finfish solutions, the agreement encompasses a robust development pipeline for the shrimp sector, addressing the needs of key stakeholders across the value chain.
"Our collaboration with The Aqua Consortium allows us to expand our impact beyond general farm management into highly specialised problem-solving," said Abhijeet Naohate, founder of Corel Lifecare, in a press release. "We are not just looking at fish; we are aggressively targeting pain points in shrimp culture. This includes developing advanced formulations for shrimp hatcheries to ensure higher larval survival rates, as well as biosecurity and growth-optimising solutions for grow-out farmers battling complex disease pressures."
The partnership leverages The Aqua Consortium's global network to validate and scale Corel’s indigenous innovations.
"We identified a critical need for solutions that are both scientifically rigorous and practically applicable for the diverse conditions of modern aquaculture," said Ra'anan Ariav, CEO of The Aqua Consortium. "Corel Lifecare has demonstrated an impressive agility in identifying farmer pain points. By combining our strategic R&D methodologies with their on-ground execution, we are positioned to deliver breakthrough interventions for the copepod crisis and shrimp sector challenges that the industry has long waited for."
