Simão attended the 11th International Fisheries Symposium held in Bangkok – Thailand from 22 – 24 November 2023. He was one of the panellists of special session “Aquatic Animal Welfare” organized by the FAIFarms. He then went on a tour to Pacific white shrimp (P. vannamei) hatchery in Chachengsao.

Discussion highlights:

• WOAH (OIE) expect to publish their first welfare strategy from 2026.

• There is need to translate scientific work into training materials to educate and train farmers on good welfare.

• Use of non-ablation in Pacific white shrimp (P. vannamei) hatcheries at commercial scale can be successful with a change in some hatcheries practices which may include manipulation of male and female ratio, and also with the provision of high quality nutritious broodstock feed.

• Giant Freshwater Prawn farming welfare issues may be associated with handling, harvesting and transportation practices,. slaughter methods and selection procedures for all male and female populations

• How do we adapt welfare concepts and improvement strategies to local (Asian) reality? We should strongly consider regional and cultural difference when raising awareness on animal welfare. In addition, local stakeholders should be the main leading agents to avoid misconceptions around imposition from third countries.

• The perception of imposition from third countries is common and dates to 20 years ago when work on reducing or eliminate the use of antibiotics started. Farmer education is very important to change farmers perceptions.

• There has been focus on improving welfare of export-oriented animals, but how about locally important species? We should start working on them as well.

• Attendees, especially researchers, from other countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia have shown interest in having projects along the lines of the current “Improving Farmed Fish Welfare in Asia”. project