Elevating Aquatic Animal Health, Ethics & Blue Food Systems
Theme 5 addresses the critical biological, nutritional, and post-harvest engineering challenges underpinning sustainable "Blue Foods"—nutrient-dense aquatic animals, plants, and algae that support over 3 billion people worldwide. Ensuring ethical aquatic welfare, reducing chemical antibiotic dependence, and replacing wild-caught fishmeal with circular alternative proteins are central pillars of this session.
We invite original contributions across molecular immunology, rapid point-of-care disease diagnostics, humane stunning/harvesting technologies, functional prebiotics/probiotics, insect meal and microalgal feed formulation, and advanced cold-chain seafood preservation.
Key Topic Areas for Abstract Submission
Aquatic Health & Disease Diagnostics
CRISPR and biosensor-based rapid pathogen detection, viral/bacterial epidemiology, mucosal immunology, autogenous vaccines, and antimicrobial stewardship.
Aquatic Animal Welfare & Ethical Handling
Non-invasive stress biomarkers, humane electrical/percussive stunning methods, stocking density welfare indices, and behavioral assessment protocols.
Functional Feeds & Nutrition
Bioactive peptides, immunostimulants, gut microbiome modulation, organic acid supplementation, and precision nutrient delivery systems.
Novel Alternative Protein Ingredients
Black soldier fly larvae meal, microalgae (Spirulina/Chlorella), bacterial single-cell proteins, processed plant concentrates, and circular feed ingredients.
Seafood Quality & Preservation Technology
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), ozone chilling, high-pressure processing (HPP), smart edible coatings, and shelf-life extension.
Blue Food Value-Chain & Bioactive Extraction
Extraction of marine collagen, astaxanthin, polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA/DHA), seafood byproduct valorization, and fortified blue food products.