Aquaculture farms in Singapore can now access free veterinary advice through the newly launched Aquatic Animal Health Services (AAHS) by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Announced on August 1, this initiative allows farms to consult with aquatic animal health veterinarians and experts on disease management, which is crucial for improving the survival and growth rates of aquatic animals.

The AAHS is part of Singapore’s ambitious goal to produce 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030. Seafood has been identified as a priority since it serves as a resource-efficient source of protein that can be cultivated in the land-scarce nation. However, the local aquaculture industry faces significant challenges, including diseases that can devastate fish populations, such as the scale drop disease virus, which has previously forced the closure of some farms.

In response to these challenges, SFA has engaged the veterinary consultancy service VetTrust Singapore to provide the necessary manpower for the AAHS. This partnership aims to enhance biosecurity practices across different farming regions while gathering valuable information about the disease landscape affecting aquaculture. By improving biosecurity and disease management, SFA aims to better support the local aquaculture industry as a whole.

Dr. Astrid Yeo, senior director of SFA’s Regulatory Standards and Veterinary Office, highlighted that this service is a critical step toward ensuring the sustainability of Singapore’s tropical marine aquaculture. She expressed optimism about the initiative, noting that 11 farms have already signed up for the AAHS. The agency encourages more farms to take advantage of this service to enhance their biosecurity measures and overall management.

Among those who have registered is Kelvin Tang, director of Goh Marine Fishery. He remarked that the new resource would significantly benefit his workers by enabling them to identify diseases earlier, thus minimizing fish mortality. Tang emphasized that individual farmers would find it economically challenging to seek such professional assistance on their own.

The AAHS will provide not only consultations but also laboratory diagnostic analyses for health screening during scheduled consultations. These services will include identifying disease causes and offering tailored advice on improving farm management. This comprehensive approach aims to empower farmers with the knowledge they need to mitigate risks associated with disease outbreaks.

SFA will fund two consultations for each farm annually during the first two years, followed by one consultation a year in the next two years. Additionally, farms will receive one disease investigation each year throughout the four-year program. Although the consultations can last up to three hours per session, farmers will need to cover the costs of any extended consultations, veterinary drugs, vaccines, and other related expenses.