Experts gather in Sri Lanka to discuss effective biosecurity in shrimp aquaculture through digital technology
As global aquaculture production continues to grow worldwide, Sri Lanka has experienced a significant increase in its own aquaculture sector. In 2017, the country's aquaculture production reached approximately 50 700 tonnes, reflecting a remarkable increase of 66% compared to 2018. To ensure the sustainable development of this sector, it is fundamental to implement biosecurity measures and alleviate the impact of climate change. Recognizing the potential of digital technology in achieving effective risk management practices, FAO has started a collaboration with Sri Lanka through the Sustainable Aquaculture Biosecurity (SAB) project.
The SAB project focuses particularly on enhancing the biosecurity and risk management system of shrimp farming in Sri Lanka. Through this project, FAO aims to strengthen the country’s capacity in health management, biosecurity, food safety, and analytic system of any risk factors affecting to the shrimp industry. Furthermore, it aims to establish a robust platform of early warning and monitoring systems to support the sustainable growth of the shrimp aquaculture sector.
Within the framework of the SAB project, experts are engaged in a series of round table discussions aimed at implementing the Progressive Management Pathway and digital monitoring system for Shrimp Aquaculture Biosecurity. The upcoming event in this series, titled “Round Table Discussion for Smart and Sustainable Aquaculture through Effective Biosecurity and Digital Technology: Technical Working Group - Digital Technology” will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 14 to 16 June 2023.
During this round table discussion, experts will have the opportunity to assess the current status of data collection and the establishment of data networking systems. Moreover, they will also visit shrimp farms to observe the on-site installation of monitoring devices and systems. Furthermore, the participants will engage in brainstorming sessions to develop an operation manual that outlines the effective implementation of biosecurity measures through digital technology.