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GRP AQUACULTURE FINAL REPORT FORM BBSRC/DFID/ESRC GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF FINALREPORTS
General Notes This form has been designed to capture information on the main achievements (science, impact, capacity building and development relevance) that have emerged from the project at the point of completion. Highlights from the report may be included in an Annual Review published on DFID’s website, and may also be used publicly by the funding agencies. Please complete the report with this in mind. Completing the form All sections of this form should be completed. When word limits are not specified we would expect a few sentences / short paragraph in answer to each question, and the report as a whole to be around 4-5 pages long. This report is designed to meet the additional reporting requirements of this programme, and is in addition to your responsibility as a BBSRC grant-holder to report on the research outputs of the award via Researchfish, and any additional reporting requested of your Indian Partners by the Department of Biotechnology India (DBT). Some of the information collected for this final report may overlap with your Researchfish submissions and feeding such relevant information into this report is perfectly within your right. Submitting the form By submitting this final report you are confirming on behalf of your organisation that you have read and understood BBSRC’s requirements and have checked that the Final Report complies with these. The individual submitting the Final Report must have secured the agreement of all those co-applicants and/or collaborators to the full contents of the report. Please submit your Final Report by Wednesday 15th May2019 by email to: Michael Booth Senior International Programme Manager (Newton Fund) Email: [email protected]
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Section 1: Project details
Project Title Evaluating Costs and Benefits of Prophylactic Health Products and Novel Alternatives on Smallholder Aquaculture Farmers In Asia and Africa (IMAQulate)
BBSRC Grant Reference BB/N005082/1
UK Lead Principal Investigator:
Name Organisation
Francis Murray [email protected]
University of Stirling, Institute of Aquaculture (UoS)
Please also list all other UK and international partners working on the award:
Name Organisation
Dave Little [email protected]
University of Stirling (UoS)
Will Leschen [email protected]
University of Stirling (UoS)
Mahmoud Eltholth [email protected]
University of Stirling (UoS)
Rachel Lawrence [email protected]
Royal Veterinary College (RVC)
Neelima Nair [email protected]
Royal Veterinary College (RVC)
Rob Field [email protected]
John Innes Centre, Norwich (JIC)
Nathalie Juge [email protected]
Institute of Food Research, Norwich (IFR)
Kenton Morgan [email protected]
University of Liverpool (UoL)
Val Smith [email protected]
University of St. Andrews (UoSA)
Toms C Joseph [email protected]
Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT)
K. Padmakumar [email protected]
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS)
I.S. Bright Singh [email protected]
Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)
Mohammad Mahafuiul Haque [email protected]
Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU)
Rahman, Muhammad Meezanur [email protected]
WorldFish Bangladesh (WFB)
Ali Hazrat [email protected]
WorldFish Bangladesh (WFB)
Ahmed Jaman [email protected]
WorldFish Bangladesh (WFB)
Patricia Muendo [email protected]
Machakos University (MKsU)
Julius Nzeve [email protected]
Machakos University (MKsU)
Mary Opiyo [email protected]
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
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Section 2: Key outputs and impacts
Summarise, in no more than 250 words, the key outputs, and impacts of the project as a whole. What difference has this research made to the lives of people in partnering countries?
IMAQulate has (i) confirmed short-term pond environmental bioremediation as the most prevalent
application of probiotic PHPs by small-holders. This is consistent with their lack of diagnostic
capacity and resource limitations for longer-term prophylactic application (ii) identified a strategic
opportunity for application during juvenile extended nursing phases in dedicated smaller and more
biosecure production units (iii) integration of biofloc within these systems confers real-time
protection against a range of important Vibrio spp. pathogens (including the aetiolgical agent of
AHPND in shrimp), though no apparent post treatment protection (iv) identified spurious efficacy
claims associated with both the declared and actual (assayed) active ingredients and their
concentrations. (v) identified a range of environmental and public health risks associated with poor
assurance of manufacturing quality (see section 3a) (vi) findings have contributed to development
of a ‘PEDIGREE’ PHP (probiotic) risk assessment tool (vii) post project efforts are ongoing to
translate these findings and the tool for uptake by (a) industry members as part of voluntary quality
assurance commitment (b) statutory regulation bodies (c) development agencies offering advice to
farmers on the effective and safe application of PHPs. (see section 6).
Section 3: The way forward
(a) What knowledge gaps are still left?
Fish gut immunology and associated microbiomes are something of a black box – less well
explored than in many other farmed animals. There is a need for more fundamental science in this
area in order to support translation/application in fish husbandry.
Aquatic immunodulators are applied in-feed and/ or as ‘bio-remediators’ to the culture environment
(soil and water) which might be considered as a ‘pond microbiome’. IMAQulate findings indicate
considerable potential for genotype environment interaction in the functioning of probiotics
contingent on agro-ecological and production system characteristics. Findings also point to co-
variance between husbandry approaches/ capacities, biosecurity conditions and enterprise scale.
Applied research on PHPs should be embedded as part of a more holistic epidemiological research
framework.
In addition to questionable efficacy claims for many commercial probiotics, our research has
identified a range of environmental and public health risks associated with poor assurance of
manufacturing quality. Issues including contamination with human pathogens, antimicrobial
resistance genes (ARG) and potentially antibiotics are predominantly associated with a poorly
regulated, often transient small-scale producer base. Further research is required to support of
regulatory efforts in resource limited contexts e.g. further development and banking of reference
probiotic strains, risk-based sampling approaches and translation of existing findings through
voluntary assurance mechanisms with value-chain stakeholders underpinned by strategic social
license incentives.
(b) Has the project opened up future opportunities/collaborations for related research?
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Funding has been secured under the BBSRC International Flexible Interchange Programme (I-
FLIP) for a one-year project: “Risk-based pedigree-analysis for regulation of prophylactic
aquaculture health products and improved smallholder health management in Bangladesh:
PEDIGREE” (BB/S019006/1) This will develop and disseminate the PHP risk analysis tool
(developed in WP2 & WP3) and increase awareness of issues around risk & efficacy of PHPs in
order to: (i) support improved voluntary (industry) and statutory regulation of safety and quality
assurance; and (ii) deliver more effective and safe small-holder aquaculture health management in
Bangladesh.
Funding has also been secured from the University of Stirling and Vaisakhi Bio-Marine (P) Ltd.
(India) for a three-year PhD studentship. This research will expand on the trials conducted in
Andhra Pradesh, working closely with a commercial partner to ensure that the research is
commercially relevant.
JIC has identified opportunities for the exploration and deployment of bioactive polysaccharides in
areas other than feedstuffs – e.g. wound dressings, home- and personal-care products, for which
there is substantial European commercial interest.
Section 4: Progress made against the project objectives
Original objectives of research Please use one row per objective.
(a) Overall outcomes against objectives and milestones. Please indicate, in no more than 65 words per work package, to what extent outcomes were achieved in line with the original proposal.
1. Value Chain Analysis (WP2): Assess PHP value-chain internal power relations & governance (statutory and market), on risks, costs and rewards to participants and assess potential value-chain up-grading options.
T2.2-T2.4: 9 enterprise scale-stratified health management surveys
implemented with (T2.2) pond farmers in Bangladesh (P. monondon
n=261, O. niloticus, n=194, pangasius n=220), India (L. vannamei n=250),
Kenya (O. niloticus cages/ ponds n=250) and hatchery operatives in
Bangladesh (P. monodon n=95, O. niloticus n= 52, pangasius n=30), India
(L. vannamei n=57). 5 surveys of (T2.3) PHP outlets: Bangladesh (Shrimp
Khulna 227 , pangasius/ tilapia mymensingh n=27), India (L. vannamei AP
n =12, W.Bengal n = 6). All survey work proceeded by in-depth sample
frame development (T2.1) to enable probabilistic sampling designs to
enable robust (sectoral) generalisability of findings.
All survey results integrated in a single IMAQulate relational database
(ACCESS) as an analytical tool and data repository (inc. metadata T5.10) -
shared with consortium members. Findings provided context for design of
commercial trials with farmers (WP3) in an exploratory sequential design.
Five country-species ‘State of the System’ (SoS) reports presented at the
final project meeting (Kenya Jan 19) and three co-authored papers on
shrimp health management trends in Bangladesh, Andhra Pradesh and
Kenya published. A paper on intensification trends in the Bangladesh
shrimp sector submitted for publication.
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2. HP Inventory/ Typology (WP2&3): of major prophylactic health product (PHP) groups based on: microbiological assessment of active ingredients, market characteristics (product claims, availability, cost, certification etc.), farmer usage patterns and their opinion on product efficacy.
T2.4: Inventory of 1,193 PHPs marketed to shrimp and fish farmers in
Andhra Pradesh & West Bengal (India), Khulna & Mymensingh
(Bangladesh) and Kenya collected as part of the WP2 ‘outlet survey’
(above). Label data including active ingredients, concentrations, product
claims, cost, certification, origin, manufacturing & importing companies etc.
incorporated in ACCESS database (UoS). Employed as (i) coding &
validation system for recording PHP usage in farm and hatchery surveys
(ii) development of a PHP PEDIGREE’ risk assessment tool in conjunction
with analytical outcomes of T2.5.
T2.5: Selected PHPs sampled for microbiological and chemical
composition analysis by RVC, JIC, CIFT and UoS. Quality concerns were
limited almost exclusively to those classified as ‘high risk’ based on label
indicators: low probiotic bacterial counts (below declaration and credible
efficacy claims), presence of acquired antimicrobial resistance genes
(ARG) and contamination with human pathogens, presence of
antimicrobial compounds in products with no detectable bacterial activity.
Our analysis (on-going) has linked this to presence of broad spectrum
antibiotic compounds including enrofloxacin, a synthetic fluoroquinolone.
Probiotics were the most prevalent PHP class (426 or 36% of the inventory
total); 18% (76) declaring B. subtilis, 11% (45) B. licheniformis, 4% (16) B.
megaterium, 4% (16) Nitrobacter spp. 80 PHPs also declared prebiotic
content either alone or with probiotics (i.e. as synbiotics). Screening of
culture isolates on selective media and PCR confirmed presence of only
one bacterial species with robust storage characteristics, B. subtilis in all
PHPs declaring it as an active ingredient. Conversely Nitrobacter spp.
could not be detected in any products declaring it. Identities of other
bacterial isolates were based on more advanced 16S RNA gene and next
generation sequencing techniques. Saccharomyces grew from only 4 of 17
products listing yeast as an ingredient.
3. Farmer Commercial PHP Trials (WP3): Based on objectives 1 & 2 outcomes, to (i) assess efficacy & cost-benefit of selected commercial PHPs compared to negative (placebo) & positive (C: N ratio mgt.) with farmers representative of commercially important, intensifying small-scale farming systems and species types. (ii) Assess secondary
T3.3 Five on-farm trials of selected ‘high-potential/ low-risk’ commercial
PHPs (WP2) with commercial partners completed in India, Bangladesh and
Kenya.
Survey findings (T2.2) indicated that small-scale intensifying farmers, the
primary stakeholder group, often lack resources to use PHPs
therapeutically over extended periods according to manufacturer
recommendations, instead applying them therapeutically in response to
visible adverse indicators of water quality or health symptoms. Therefore
trials focused on treatment in smaller hatchery and nursery ponds with ex-
post monitoring in grow-out ponds. To control for genotype x environment
interactions, environmental parameters (e.g. salinity levels) were
predicated on outcomes of health management surveys of small-scale
producers (WP2).
Shrimp trials in Bangladesh (P. monodon) and India (L. vannamei) gave
the most positive results for water-probiotic treatments based on biotic
performance indicators and pathogen challenge outcomes. Biofloc
treatments demonstrated enhanced in-situ biosecurity, though longer term
post-treatment culture benefits of were less evident. A sixth laboratory
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organoleptic (benefits) in prevention of off-flavours (ii) assess risk of probiotics in development of human pathogen antimicrobial resistance.
scale trial conducted in collaboration with FishVet Group Thailand,
confirmed this in-situ protection for shrimp challenged with Vibrio
parahaemolyticus carrying the AHPND causing Pir toxin plasmid.
In Bangladesh, we found that in-feed probiotic treatment of Pangasius fry
can enhance the survival of fingerlings up to 60% after 65 days of culture.
The shift of focus from farms to hatcheries/nurseries also made
assessment of organoleptic effects on tilapia redundant (D3.3). The
resource was use to expand the systematic survey of farm health
management practices to hatchery and nurseries.
T3.4 The Andhra Pradesh shrimp field-trial was replicated in a laboratory
zebrafish model (RVC) using the same pre/probiotic products to further
assess efficacy of PHP on immune responsiveness, gut health and
microbiota diversity. Triplicate experiments were assessed for survival of
larval fish, presence and recruitment of neutrophils in gut and bloodstream,
expression of immune genes by qrt-PCR, measurement of gut health and
pathology (such as crypt/villi length, numbers of folds, number of goblet
cells, luminal surface area) and the microbiome of each group was
assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results closely mirrored survival
results in the shrimp field trial in Andhra Pradesh (T3.2).
Zebrafish larvae tolerated both in-feed and in water PHP well. The groups
receiving water probiotics had improved larval survival and overall health.
Water probiotic alone (T4) or in conjunction with in-feed pre-biotic (T5)
induced the highest levels of disease resistance against S. iniae upon
challenge. The groups receiving in-water probiotic alone also had the
greatest levels of bloodstream neutrophils and posterior gut goblet cells,
indicating immune readiness. However, we found few differences in other
gut health and immune parameters and there were few alterations in the
microbiome of these larvae. Overall, results suggest that in-water PHPs
have strong potential for enhancing fish larval survival and ability to resist
disease.
4. Farmer Novel PHP Trials (WP4):To assess the safety and efficacy of novel PHPs including glycan decoys, saponins and low-cost locally available plant extracts under laboratory and field conditions through further farmer action-research.
T4.1-T4.4 JIC determined total carbohydrate and monosaccharide
compositions of commercial prebiotics, probiotic and synbiotics materials
collected in Bangladesh (by Stirling). WP2-3 on-farm shrimp trials in India
and Bangladesh also incorporated ‘synbiotic’ (combination pre and
probiotic) treatments.
Glycan array analysis was used to identify dominant structures. Where
significant carbohydrate content was evident, beta-glucans were the major
species. A collection of five distinct types of beta-glucan (scleroglucan,
laminarin from Grateloupia (seaweed; from Padma Kumar; KUFOS),
paramylon, curdlan and synthetic beta-glucans) where assessed at QIB
(Quadram Institute Bioscience) as ligands for classic immune receptor
lectin Dectin -1 in a cell reporter assay. The same materials were provided
to RVC to assess their impact in gut immunology and gut microbiome
composition of zebrafish. The outcome of these studies has implications
for the structure and source of beta-glucans that are likely to be effective
aquaculture feed immune stimulants.
In conjunction with RVC, we have isolated the previously uncharacterised
extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) of fish pathogen Streptococcus iniae.
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Purification and structural analysis of this polysaccharide shows the
dominant presence of mannose, which can be recognised by lectin in
carbohydrate microarray studies. It is likely that his exposed mannose unit
is involved in infection and that such processes could be blocked by readily
available mannans, such as those from yeast (by-product of brewing, for
instance) which could be used as feed additives.
T4.4 & T4.5 CUST (NCAAH, India) assessed Rhizophora mucronata
derived saponins as prophylactic agent for management of white spot
syndrome virus and Vibrio harveyi in shrimp culture. Following HPLC
extraction from dried mangrove leaves, four saponin fractions were
assessed for anti WSSV activity (using a PmLymO - Sf9 hybrid cell line)
and quorum quenching assays with V. harveyi. Fraction 2 enabled survival
of hybrid cells challenged with WSSV, compared to complete mortality in
positive controls (WSSV alone). Evaluated with semi-quantitative PCR, the
positive control cells expressed viral genes: Immediate Early Gene (IE),
viral DNA polymerase (Viral DNA Pol), and VP -28 wheras the cells
challenged with saponin treated WSSV did not. Fraction 2 also reduced
luminescence of V. harveyi (12hr) cultures compared to controls indicative
of a reduction in quorum sensing activity (quorum quenching). CUST
hopes to send saponin fractions to JIC for further structural elucidation.
T4.5 (RVC) A panel of 5 glucans (laminarin, scleroglucan, curdlan,
paramylon and synthetic beta-glucan) were evaluated in an in vivo
zebrafish model for their potential as PHP. The following assessments
were made in three triplicate experiments (i) larval survival along with
changes to gut histology, microbiome composition (16S rRNA sequencing),
immune gene expression (qrt-PCR) and neutrophil functional response (ii)
the effect of these glucans on the ability of zebrafish to resist challenge
infection with the pathogen, Streptococcus iniae (iii) An in vitro study
assessing the effect of these glucans on the growth of S.iniae.
Both paramylon and scleroglucan showed potential to increase larval
survival rates after challenge with S. iniae. Paramylon decreased the
growth rate of S.iniae in a dose-dependent manner (but also proved
moderately toxic probably due to its relative insolubility and ability to block
larval gills). Paramylon inhibiting S. iniae growth directly above.The
scleroglucan effect could be related to an increase in the mRNA
expression of TRF gene in the group exposed to scleroglucan. More dose-
dependent studies on zebrafish larvae are required. 16S rRNA gene
sequencing analysis of the microbiome analysis is being completed.
(b) Setbacks and risks If the project has suffered any setbacks that have affected the outcome of the project, please indicate what these were and what remedial action was taken. Please highlight, in no more than 200 words, any significant risks that affected, or could have affected if not mitigated, the outcome of the project (eg:project management, preventing corruption and fraud, and due diligence in transfer of money overseas).
DBT funded partners in India faced a reduction in the budget originally set during the project
development phase. Despite this set-back the partners remained highly committed to delivering the
project objectives, in some case significantly exceeding original commitments. In Kenya, work was
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decentralised to Machakos University with the early resignation of another local partner. As a newly
independent University keen to cement international research networks, the increased autonomy both
empowered and spurred Machakos to become highly proactive and committed partners.
Section5: Scientific excellence and research outcomes
(a) Please provide details of up to five significant/impactful peer reviewed primary research products (eg: journal papers) that have resulted from the project and made available in open access format (including papers under preparation). Which one and why do you consider the most important?
Published:
1. Ali, H., Rahman, M.M., Rico, A., Jaman, A., Basak, S.K., Islam, M.M., Khan, N., Keus, J.K.,
Mohan. C.V. 2018 An assessment of health management practices and occupational
health hazards in tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium
rosenbergii) aquaculture in Bangladesh. Veterinary and Animal Sciences 5: 10-19
2. Kuhaudomlarp, S., Patron, N.J., Henrissat, B., Rejzek, M., Saalbach, G., Field, R.A. 2018
Identification of β-1,3-glucan phosphorylase and establishment of a new glycoside
hydrolase (GH) family GH149. The Journal of biological chemistry 293(8)
3. Opiyo, M., Marijani, E., Muendo, P., Odede, R., Leschen, W. and Charo-Karisa, H. 2018 A
review of aquaculture production and health management practices of farmed fish in
Kenya. International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine 6(2): 141-148
4. Sajali, U., Atkinson, N., Desbois, A., Little, D., Murray, F. and Shinn, A. 2019 Prophylactic
properties of biofloc- or Nile tilapia-conditioned water against Vibrio parahaemolyticus
infection of whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Aquaculture 498: 492-502
5. Sergey A. Nepogodiev, Peterson de Andrade, Robert A. Field 2019 Assessment of the
kinetic and chemical competence of β-1,4- and β-1,3-glucan phosphorylases informs
access to new-to-nature analogues of milk oligosaccharide. Ravindra Pal Singh, Giulia
Pergolizzi, ChemBioChem, 2019, under review.
Paper 4 has most applied relevance as it confirms the capacity of managed biofloc to prevent acute
hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND a pandemic affecting the global intensive shrimp
aquaculture sector) in white leg shrimp when challenged with the aetiological bacterial agent.
Peer-reviewed journal papers under preparation:
1. Francis Murray, Bryant Busaki and Andrew P. Desbois Quality assurance indicators for
safety and efficacy of commercial probiotics used in aquaculture.
2. Eltholth, M. et al. Assessing the effectiveness and cost benefit of prophylactic health
products in aquaculture: A systematic review
3. Mahmoud Eltholth, M. Mahfujul Haque, Pranta Saha, Francis Murray, 2019. Effect of in-
feed probiotic on the performance of pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)
4. Gray, A., Nair, N. and Lawrence, R.A. In water PHP potentiates larval fish health and
survival more effectively than in water prophylactic health products.
5. Nair, N., Singh, R., Gray A., Field, R. and Lawrence R.A. The potential use of beta-glucans
as prophylactic health products for aquaculture.
6. Ahna Ameer, Francis Murray and I.S. Bright Singh. Development of Rhizophora mucronata
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derived saponins as prophylactic agent for management of while spot syndrome virus and
Vibrio harveyi in shrimp culture.
7. Odede, R., Muendo, P., Opiyo, M.A., Nzeve, J., Leschen, W., and Murray, F. A situation
analysis of prophylactic health products usage in Kenyan Livestock and aquaculture
subsectors
8. Nzeve J., Muendo, P., Opiyo, M.A., and Odede, R. Fish Health Management Practices
and use of prophylactic health products (PHPs) in smallholder and intensive aquaculture
systems in Kenya
9. Kuria, J., Muendo, P., Odede, R., Opiyo, M.A., and Nzeve J. Effect of in-water probiotic on
the performance and health of Nile tilapia fry and juveniles
(b) Please provide details of how many research outcomes (eg: journal papers, conference papers/posters) name researchers from institutionsin patterning countries as authors.
Five journal papers (listed above) have been published in international journals.
Conferences/Symposiums (total 12):
1. Mahmoud Eltholth, Rachel Lawrence, Toms Joseph, Neelima Nair, Bibin Kalirakath,
Mohanakumaran Nair and Francis Murray Eltholth: presentation of IMAQulate findings from
WPs 2 and 3 at the World Aquaculture Society/European Aquaculture Society’s Aqua 2018
conference in Montpellier from 25-29 August 2018. ‘Assessment of the Effectiveness and
Cost Benefit of Prophylactic Health Products in Shrimp’.
2. Dr Francis Murray and Dr Mahmoud Eltholth (both of UoS) presented IMAQulate findings
from WPs 2 and 3 at the World Aquaculture Society/European Aquaculture Society’s Aqua
2018 conference in Montpellier from 25-29 August 2018. ‘Assessment of the Effectiveness
and Cost Benefits of Prophylactic Health Products in Aquaculture: a Systematic Review’
(WP2/3).
3. Dr Rachel Lawrence (RVC) presented two posters at the (Zebra)fish Immunology
Workshop, Wageningen, Netherlands, May 2016
4. Dr Valerie Smith was a Guest Speaker at the International Symposium on Aquatic Animal
Health and Epidemiology for Sustainable Asian Aquaculture: 20-21 April 2017. Held at the
Indian Council for Agricultural Research, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources,
Lucknow, India. Talk title: Modulation of Finfish Immune System for Disease Management:
Pathogen trapping by defence cells of fish, delivered by V J. Smith. Outcomes, broadening
network base with scientists and aquaculture stakeholders in India and other South Asian
countries.
5. Dr Valerie Smith presented two seminar talks at a one day Symposium on Invertebrate
Immunology: Relevance to Human Health at Universidad Federal Fluminense (UFF), Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil on 24th July. Two presentations were given: One was entitled
'Extracellular chromatin trapping of pathogens: A double-edged sword? Insights from lower
animals.' The other was 'WFDSC-domain containing proteins and their importance in lower
vertebrates & invertebrates’. This symposium was useful to engage with scientists from a
range of backgrounds, including biomedical researchers, in Brazil. Great interest in the
talks was shown and discussions were held as to possibilities for future collaborations.
6. Dr Valerie Smith presented an invited plenary talk at the International Seminar on Diseases
of Aquatic Animals at the Dept. Zoology, C. Abdul Hakkem College (CAHC) in Vellore,
Tamil Nadu, India on 22 August 2018. The talk was 1entitled: 'Crustins: multi-functional
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defence proteins in decapod crustaceans'. Informal discussions were also held with
delegates and CAHC scientists about tke deplymeny of extracellular chromatin in fish and
other aquaculture species. This was a useful event to interact and engage with staff and
students at CAHC, including the College Principal, as well as with senior scientists and
students from Colleges and Institutes in this part of Tamil Nadu. The activity was a useful
to showcase the BBSRC projects.
7. Dr Rachel Lawrence gave a guest lecture at a Veterinary School in Cuiaba, Brazil,
attended by 40 researchers and veterinary students, on using zebrafish as a model for
disease. It sparked questions on the microbiome and its role in educating the immune
system and nutrition and the microbiome.
8. Dr Rachel Lawrence gave a poster presentation at conference on the Microbiome in
Oxford, UK in 2017.
9. Efficacy of prophylactic health products on shrimp (Penaeus monodon) post larvae nursing
in tanks. Muhammad Meezanur Rahman, Hazrat Ali, Ahmed Jaman, Mahmoud Eltholth,
Francis Murray. To be presented at: AquaEpi 4-6 Nov 2019 Hua Hin, Aquatic Animal
Epidemiology, Prachuap Khir Khan, Thailand.
10. Risk factors and opportunities of intensive shrimp (Penaeus monodon) production in
Bangladesh Muhammad Meezanur Rahman, Hazrat Ali, Ahmed Jaman, Mahmoud
Eltholth, Francis Murray. To be presented at: AquaEpi 4-6 Nov 2019 Hua Hin, Aquatic
Animal Epidemiology, Prachuap Khir Khan, Thailand.
11. Mary Opiyo gave an oral presentation on Possibilities of Prophylactic Health Products
Usage in Tilapia Production Systems In Kenya at the International Conference on Aquatic
Resources and Aquaculture for Sustainable Development, Hawassa University, Ethiopia
8th to 10th January, 2019.
12. Dr. Odede presented a paper at the Annual Veterinary scientific conference in Kenya held
on 24.04.2019 – 26.04.2019
Working groups/meetings (total 13):
1. All partners contributed to a stakeholder engagement workshop in Machakos, Kenya,
disseminating findings of the project to policy and practitioner stakeholders (January 2019).
2. Dr Francis Murray (UoS), Dr Meezanur Rahman (WFC), Ali Hazrat (WFC) and Ahmed
Jaman (WFC) contributed to a stakeholder engagement workshop in Khulna, Bangladesh,
disseminating findings of the project to policy and practitioner stakeholders (November
2018).
3. Dr Francis Murray (UoS) and Dr Mohammad Mahfujul Haque (BAU) contributed to a
stakeholder engagement workshop in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, disseminating findings of
the project to policy and practitioner stakeholders (November 2018).
4. Dr Francis Murray presented to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Agro-ecology
& Integrated Agriculture and Aquaculture workshop in a meeting running alongside Aqua
2018 to make early policy recommendations regarding the regulation of PHPs.
5. Dr Francis Murray (UoS) and Dr ‘Ripon’ Mohammad Mahfujul Haque (BAU) attended a
roundtable discussion organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Economist Association
(BAEA). The meeting discussed aligning Bangladesh policy with the EU’s strategy for the
blue economy. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Sajjadul Hasan, Secretary of Prime
Minister Office, who praised the IMAQulate project's input to the discussion.
6. Dr Valerie Smith (UoSA) participated in a one day workshop organised by BBSRC (and the
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Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) to bring together a multidisciplinary
community to explore development and deployment of intelligent sensing systems for early
detection of animal (including aquaculture species) and plant health threats. This was held
on London on 21 February 2017.
7. Dr Francis Murray participated in meeting on One Health antimicrobial-use monitoring
methodologies hosted by Royal School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London in
November 2017, sharing methods used by the IMAQulate project. A joint review has been
produced as an outcome of the workshop.
8. Dr Francis Murray presented project findings at an MPEDA (The Marine Products Exports
Development Authority) workshop on 8th January 2018 in Andhra Pradesh supporting
smallholders to deal with the challenges of group certification under third-party audited
environmental and sustainability standards (e.g. BAP/ASC/GlobalGap). These efforts is
being supported by the Government of India in response to a threatened trade ban
following a spate of antimicrobial residue detections in EU/ USA export markets. The poor
health management capacity of small-scale farmers has implicated as causal factor. This
followed a planning meeting by Francis Murray with ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship
Council) staff at their HQ in Utrecht in December 2017. Supporting such capacity building
efforts will be a key aspect of our exit strategy.
9. Dr Francis Murray attended a planning meeting with ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship
Council) staff at their HQ in Utrecht in December 2017 to communicate project aims ad
objectives and preliminary findings. Supporting such capacity building efforts will be a key
aspect of our exit strategy.
10. Dr Valerie Smith was invited to give a seminar presented to scientists and students at the
Indian Council for Agricultural Research funded Central Institute for Brackish Water
Aquaculture, Chennai, India on 24 April. Talk title: Chromatin trapping of bacteria by
defence cells of fish & shellfish, delivered by V.J. Smith. Opportunity to showcase the
project, meet and network with aquaculture researchers in Tamil Nadu.
11. Dr Valerie Smith participated in the UK Aquaculture Research Collaborative Hub (ARCH
UK) Workshop in London on 23 June 2017. ARCH UK, an BBSRC-funded aquaculture
network aimed at identifying shared and specific issues preventing the sustainable growth
of all sectors of the UK aquaculture industry.
12. Dr Valerie Smith participated as an invited delegate at the BBSRC Workshop on ‘Intelligent
Sensing Systems for Early Detection of Animal and Plant Health Threats’ held in Mayfair,
London on 21st February 2017. Opportunity to network and engage with a wide range of
researchers and experts in animal health, including those in the field of aquaculture.
13. Dr Rachel Lawrence contributed to an RVC dissemination day on the effects of the
microbiome. It was a day for networking and catching up with the latest microbiome
research developments.
Prizes:
Arabella Gray, an MSci student at the RVC whose project was part of WP3.1 IMAQulate
under the supervision of Dr Rachel Lawrence (“An assessment of the effect of PHP on
immune functionality and gut integrity in zebrafish”) won 1st place in the MSci Biological
Sciences and was awarded the Royal Society of Biology prize for Top Student at the Royal
Veterinary College 2019.
(c) How has a tri-lateral collaboration contributed towards or hindered the delivery of research outputs?
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In Bangladesh the research built on a history of highly effective research collaborations between
UoS, WFC and BAU. The other tri-lateral network relations, for the most part represented new
institutional and personal collaborations. Levels of commitment were generally exceptional and
three annual progress meetings in Bangladesh, India and Kenya helped to cement relations. RVC
and UoS (UK) staff joined partners from WFC and BAU (Bangladesh) and India (CIFT) to
implement field trials with a private sector partner in India.
Section 6: Training and capacity building
(a) Please provide details of three opportunities provided by the project that you consider to have had the greatest impact in terms of training and capacity building in the partnering countries (eg: workshops, exchanges, mentoring, short courses, formal qualification courses).
Six University of Stirling MSc students were given the opportunity to conduct their research through
the IMAQulate project. These student projects involved laboratory analysis and field research, both
socially-based and trial-based and included techniques in conducting challenge tests, a common
practice in aquaculture. The nationalities of these students were: Indian, South African, Indonesian,
Malaysian, Kenyan and British. One project (Sajali et al. listed above) resulted in a peer-reviewed
journal paper, and the on-farm experience directly led to employment of another student.
UK partners (UoS and UoL) trained 10 final year vocational aquaculture students from Pithapur
Raja's Govt. College Kakinada (one of the oldest in India) to enumerate famer field survey’s with
Shrimp Farmers in Andhra Pradesh. The students were given the opportunity to write up aspects of
the survey work as final year project reports.
Eight undergraduate students/interns from various universities in Kenya were given an opportunity
to gain research experience and exposure to Kenyan aquaculture when they were engaged as
enumerators in farm surveys.
Funding has been secured from the University of Stirling and Vaisakhi Bio-Marine (P) Ltd. (India)
for a three-year PhD studentship. An Indian national has been recruited to this position, and will
spend two years expanding on the Indian field research into the efficacy of probiotics before
spending a year based in the UK completing the PhD at the University of Stirling.
two students enrolled for Phd’s at NCAAH, CUSAT, India. D. One of them (Suresh Kunjiraman) has
been enjoying fellowship from the project and worked on PHPs of NCAAH and the second ( Ahna
Ameer) secured fellowship from University Grants Commission and worked on mangrove derived
saponins as prophylactic agents (publication pending). An M.Tech. student (Gayatri Kachh)
undertook research with Prof. Manfred Weidmann at the University of Stirling on a National
Overseas Scholarship under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
An extension article authored by BAU “Use of Prophylactic Health Products (PHPs) in Aquaculture
and Way Forward’ has been published by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) as a farmer training
material.
Following the final project meeting in Machakos, Kenya (Jan 2019), all partners contributed to a
stakeholder engagement workshop with regulatory institutions and commercial interests. Following
which highlighted regulatory gaps, a policy brief has been authored by the Kenyan partners.
Findings are also to be incorporated in curriculum and training modules on fish health management
and quality standards. On-farm trials in collaboration with a private cage tilapia producer stimulated
requests for further trials with local commercial PHP interests, hitherto focussed primarily on
terrestrial livestock sectors.
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(b) Have the consortia collaborated with or linked to other sustainable aquaculture projects or programmes? Has the project leveraged any additional resources for related research (please highlight where these are led by the non-UK consortia)?
Funding has been secured from BBSRC (BB/S019006/1) for a one-year project: “Risk-based
pedigree-analysis for regulation of prophylactic aquaculture health products and improved
smallholder health management in Bangladesh”. This will expand on WP2 and WP3 research and
allow findings to be disseminated to stakeholders and policymakers in Bangladesh.
Funding has also been secured from the University of Stirling and Vaisakhi Bio-Marine (P) Ltd.
(India) for a three-year PhD studentship. This research will expand on the trials conducted in
Andhra Pradesh, working closely with a commercial partner to ensure that the research is
commercially relevant.
(c) What is the one thing, if any, you could have done differently to increase capacity building in the partnering countries?
Mechanisms to free additional time by senior consortia staff for exchange visits to build laboratory field-work and capacities.
Section 7: Development relevance of the research
(a) Did your project have any gender specific outputs or inputs? For example engaging women farmers to shape the project and/or to inform them of the outcomes, supporting capacity building for female researchers etc.
NA
(b) Please state any efforts made to communicate the research to the public/policy makers/industry in the partnering countries (eg: through a project website, social media, stakeholder workshops, or dissemination activities). Is there any evidence (eg: change in farmer attitudes, adoption of new tools and practices, contribution to policy briefs etc.) to suggest the impact of such activities?
i) Public
The project has a website, Facebook and ResearchGate. The project has also been featured in the
following aquaculture-related magazines and online media: The Fish Site, The Fish Farmer (May
2018), The Fish Farmer (July 2018), The Fish Farmer (February 2019) and The Hans India.
ii) Policy makers
Dr Francis Murray (UoS), Dr Meezanur Rahman (WFC), Ali Hazrat (WFC) and Ahmed Jaman
(WFC) contributed to a stakeholder engagement workshop in Khulna, Bangladesh, disseminating
findings of the project to policy and practitioner stakeholders (November 2018).
Dr Francis Murray (UoS) and Dr Mohammad Mahfujul Haque (BAU) contributed to a stakeholder
engagement workshop in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, disseminating findings of the project to policy
and practitioner stakeholders (November 2018).
Dr Francis Murray presented to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Agro-ecology &
Integrated Agriculture and Aquaculture workshop in a meeting running alongside Aqua 2018 to
make early policy recommendations regarding the regulation of PHPs.
Dr Francis Murray (UoS) and Dr ‘Ripon’ Mohammad Mahfujul Haque (BAU) attended a roundtable
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discussion organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Economist Association (BAEA). The meeting
discussed aligning Bangladesh policy with the EU’s strategy for the blue economy. The discussion
was moderated by Mr. Sajjadul Hasan, Secretary of Prime Minister Office, who praised the
IMAQulate project's input to the discussion.
Dr Muhammad Meezanur Rahman (WorldFish Center) lead a serious of consultations on behalf of
the with Bangladesh Department of Fisheries (DOF) culminating in the drafting of ‘National Fish
Health Management Strategy of Bangladesh’ (NFHMSB) which will also feed into a national drugs
regulatory process by the Directorate General of Drug Administration(DGDA). IMAQulate findings
regarding quality assurance risks in the manufacture and distribution of commercial probiotics used
in aquaculture fed directly into this process.
Dr Odede presented the results of the PHP inventory and the value chain analysis report in the
Kenya Veterinary Association annual conference highlighting the policy gaps in the regulatory
framework in the regulation of PHPs and the need for the association to work together with other
national stakeholders to address the policy gaps
Dr. Patricia and the rest of the Kenyan team drafted a policy brief recommending required
interventions to address highlighted policy gaps. It will be printed and shared with all relevant
stakeholders.
iii) Industry
All partners contributed to a stakeholder engagement workshop in Machakos, Kenya,
disseminating findings of the project to policy and practitioner stakeholders (January 2019).
Dr Francis Murray (UoS), Dr Meezanur Rahman (WFC), Ali Hazrat (WFC) and Ahmed Jaman
(WFC) contributed to a stakeholder engagement workshop in Khulna, Bangladesh, disseminating
findings of the project to policy and practitioner stakeholders (November 2018).
Dr Francis Murray (UoS) and Dr Mohammad Mahfujul Haque (BAU) contributed to a stakeholder
engagement workshop in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, disseminating findings of the project to policy
and practitioner stakeholders (November 2018).
A popular article was published in the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries compendium (in
Bengali). The number of copies of this compendium was about 8,000 which were widely circulated
to various aquaculture stakeholders across the country.
The Kenyan collaborators have also drafted a fish health hand book to inform farmers on fish
health and management practices
(c) Please describe any other economic or welfare benefits which have been realised for people in developing countries as a result of the project.
The project has confirmed production contexts where small-holders are more likely to derive value
from PHP with defined attributes and products and situations where their use should be avoided
entirely. Further efforts are underway to translate these findings into development impacts with
regulators and stakeholders across the value chain (see below).
(d) Following on from answers b and c above are there any non-research steps still to be taken in order to maximise economic and societal benefits emerging as a result of this project and who will be taking them forward?
Additional funding has been secured from BBSRC (BB/S019006/1) for a one-year project: “Risk-
based pedigree-analysis for regulation of prophylactic aquaculture health products and improved
smallholder health management in Bangladesh”. See section 6b and the following link for further
details: https://www.pedigree.stir.ac.uk/.
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A similar translation approach is urgently needed to support transition of India’s emergent export
shrimp sector from a ‘quantity‘ to ‘quality’ growth phase. The sector is currently dominated by
small-holders newly adopting or intensifying their production practices. The majority of probiotics
consumed in Bangladesh (which currently has no indigenous production) are manufactured in
India. We are actively seeking further funding to link these initiatives.
