Food security is a global priority, with increases in food production of >70% required over that currently produced to feed the predicted 9 billion people in 2050. One of the major sectors that will play a role in supplying humanity’s future protein and calorific needs is that of aquaculture, or the farming of aquatic organisms. Aquaculture as an industry has grown rapidly from humble beginnings 50 years ago, to now supply ~50% of the world’s seafood product and involve the farming of 620+ different aquatic organisms. Compared to livestock and crop production, the aquaculture industry itself though is still embryonic and dramatic improvements in production through the application of advanced genetics, better health management, targeted nutrition and use of digital and artificial intelligence applications can be achieved if researchers and industry work together to further transform the way aquaculture is conducted.

This webinar will introduce the future of aquaculture, its beginnings and where now R&D focus is going and some of the interesting outcomes seen.  Importantly, it advocates for a role where industry, government and researchers work together to further exploit the potential growth of aquaculture so it can continue to feed the world with a highly nutritious and sustainably produced seafood product.

As we celebrate our University’s 50th anniversary in 2020, our Professorial Lecture Series showcases research excellence across a number of disciplines. Our Professors collectively represent a body of expertise that translates research of directly practical importance to our place in the tropics.

Webinar time

4:30 pm GMT+8 (Singapore)

Speaker Profile

Professor Dean Jerry Professor of Aquaculture Director of the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Prawn Breeding Director of the Tropical Futures Institute, James Cook University (Singapore) Professor Dean Jerry is globally known for his work in aquaculture R&D, with his primary research focus and expertise in the application of advanced genetic and genomic technologies to the improvement of farmed aquatic species.  In the last 15 years he has worked with over 12 aquaculture species across 7 countries and over this time has built a large internationally recognised research team which has been instrumental in the development of genetic tools and knowledge to inform industry-run selective breeding programs. His research is cross-cutting and conducted largely through industry partnerships, integrating where possible a holistic approach that brings together genetics, nutrition, and aquatic animal health inputs. As the Director of the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Advanced Prawn Genetics, he has lead a team of 20 scientists across 5 partner organisations in an effort to generate industry relevant knowledge allowing the conduct of an advanced genomic breeding program for the black tiger prawn. He also is Founding Director of the Tropical Futures Institute at James Cook University in Singapore, which has established an aquaculture R&D team to work with industry to address their significant R&D issues in Singapore and regionally. Professor Jerry is passionate about the role aquaculture will play in the supply of humanity’s future protein and is a strong advocate for its sustainable and impactful development, particularly in tropical regions of the world.

Photos and recording will be taken during the event for news and various publicity purposes