SISAQUA Launches to Strengthen Aquatic Animal Health Across Ibero-America
A new scientific network is seeking to strengthen cooperation on aquatic animal health across Ibero-America, as aquaculture faces growing challenges from emerging diseases, climate change, antimicrobial resistance and the cross-border spread of pathogens.
The Ibero-American Society for Aquatic Animal Health (SISAQUA) was founded by three specialists from Chile and Colombia: Dr. Fernando Mardones, a Chilean veterinarian and academic at the University of Edinburgh; Dr. Paola Barato, Scientific Director of CORPAVET and FAO consultant on freshwater fish health; and Dr. Ruben Avendaño-Herrera, professor at Universidad Andrés Bello and Deputy Director of the INCAR² Center for Applied Research.
The initiative aims to build a regional platform connecting veterinarians, biologists, researchers and aquaculture professionals working on disease prevention, diagnostics, epidemiology, biosecurity and animal welfare.
Building Regional Capacity for Disease Prevention
One of SISAQUA’s priorities will be strengthening epidemiological surveillance and professional training. The network plans to promote scientific and technical collaboration, improve biosecurity and animal welfare standards, and support evidence-based public policies for sustainable aquaculture.
Its scope will include key aquaculture species across the region, including salmonids, shrimp, tilapia, mollusks, ornamental fish and native species.
According to the founders, greater regional cooperation could improve early detection of emerging diseases and enable countries to share surveillance tools, protocols and successful health-management strategies.
Climate change will also be a major focus. Rising temperatures and increasing environmental variability can alter interactions among hosts, pathogens and their environments, creating new challenges for disease prevention and management. SISAQUA therefore plans to promote integrated approaches combining epidemiology, aquatic veterinary medicine and environmental science.
Connecting Science, Industry and Innovation
SISAQUA also seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and aquaculture production by fostering collaboration among universities, industry and public agencies.
The network expects this approach to accelerate the development and transfer of new technologies, including improved vaccines, preventive strategies, alternatives to antimicrobials and faster diagnostic tools.
For Avendaño-Herrera, the key challenge is moving from fragmented research efforts toward collaborative networks capable of translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions for aquaculture.
Scientific Publishing and Regional Collaboration
As one of its first initiatives, SISAQUA is promoting a Special Issue of the peer-reviewed journal Fishes focused on aquatic animal health in Ibero-America. The issue will cover infectious diseases, diagnostics, epidemiological surveillance, biosecurity, animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance.
Mardones, Barato and Avendaño-Herrera will serve as guest editors.
During its launch phase, SISAQUA membership will be free, providing access to professional networks, technical information and future scientific activities. Those interested in joining can contact contacto@sisaqua.org.
Through the initiative, SISAQUA aims to establish a stronger Ibero-American network for aquatic animal health, connecting scientific expertise, surveillance capacity and technological innovation to support a healthier, more resilient and sustainable aquaculture sector.
More information: https://sisaqua.org/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/sisaqua
