Some of our key resources include:
- Aquaria, equipped with an outdoor air-ventilated facility and indoor temperature-controlled rooms, is used as a dedicated marine science and aquaculture teaching and research facility. The Aquaria features coral tanks, outdoor circular fiberglass tanks, and indoor experimental tanks with ultraviolet light and temperature control capabilities containing a vast array of aquatic organisms, both fresh and seawater.
- RP - James Cook University Singapore (JCUS) Joint Marine Conservation Lab for the study of coastal marine ecology
- Greenhouse for urban farming and aquaponics
Project 4
Focus area: Feed and Nutrition
Okara is a by-product of soybean-based products. Despite its richness in nutrients, more than 30,000kg of Okara is discarded every day in Singapore due to its high insoluble fibre content and unique poignant smell. Okara shows potential as an alternative protein source for aquatic species and thus was researched for possibilities in abalone feed.
The researchers have developed and formulated abalone feed with the addition of Okara to create a cost-effective and nutritious feed. The formulated abalone feed has demonstrated feed acceptance, increased growth rates and prolonged survivability as compared to commercial feed during feed trials. This decreases the production period for aquatic feed and thus allows for lower operating costs and lower production costs for farms culturing abalone. There is also potential in the addition of Okara as feed for fish and shrimp. You can read more about this project by clicking on this link.
Project 5
Focus area: Health management in aquaculture using probiotics
Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food-producing sectors to meet the world’s protein demand. Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) species exhibits a fast growth rate and short culture period. Barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a common food fish, can tolerate being farmed in high stocking density. Female broodstock are highly fecund, producing a large number of eggs for hatchery production. Both the adult and juveniles also feed well on a pelleted diet when farmed. Both species are intensively farmed in many countries.
Economic losses from bacterial and viral infections are a major challenge in aquaculture. Control of these diseases typically involves the use of antibiotics, which can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria. An alternative to antibiotic treatment is the use of probiotics to protect the host from pathogens by inhibiting the colonisation of other harmful microorganisms. Research of probiotics in the improvement of growth or survival rate in fish and crustaceans are rarely done.
In collaboration with NTU, SATC is trying out new methods to promote stable colonisation of probiotic strains in the gut of the test species (L. vannamei and L. calcarifer). The high retention capacity of probiotics in the gut could promote growth performance and increase the survivability of aquaculture species in an environmentally sustainable way.
To date, BSF technology has only been limited to use of industrial-grade food waste such as Okara, coffee spent or brewery waste due to concerns of toxin bioaccumulation in food waste, traceability and safety. But with an automated pneumatic waste conveyance system, it will be secured and traceable.
In this project, the RP team will develop BSF based feed formulated for L. vannamei and will conduct a grow out trial to optimises the most suitable BSF based feed for shrimp
In collaboration with NTU, SATC is trying out new methods to promote stable colonisation of probiotic strains in the gut of the test species (L. vannamei and L. calcarifer). The high retention capacity of probiotics in the gut could promote growth performance and increase the survivability of aquaculture species in an environmentally sustainable way.
Partner us!
Maintaining an excellent partnership with the industry, universities and research institutions is a prime focus for SATC. As one of the Conexus centres in RP, the SATC works closely with the government and the industry on research and development. Our collaborators include universities (NUS, NTU, TFI-JCUS), industries and organisations such as Singapore Food Agency, Resort World Sentosa and Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
In meeting the objective to deliver an internationally recognised and industry-relevant curriculum, our staff and students have been participating in national and international conferences/meetings, industry fairs, and actively seeking collaboration with the marine science and aquaculture community.
SATC publishes the results of our research endeavours via journals, patents, media reports, dissertations, talks and showcases at technical meetings. Discoveries and inventions with commercial potential are protected prior to public disclosure.
Interested in working with us?
If you are keen to explore opportunities in Sustainable Aquaculture, please contact us.