NEWS
For regular updates, please follow our LinkedIn page. That's also the place to sign up for our newsletter. A few other updates are listed below.
Scaling Commercial Aquaculture Development in Uganda Aug 2026
ThinkAqua is part of a new four year programme to support commercial aquaculture development in Uganda. Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda and managed by lead-partner COFAD, the programme will address key structural barriers to the scaling of pond and cage aquaculture. The programme covers five major areas: quality inputs, capacity building, market development, access to finance and enabling environment. The ThinkAqua team and partners have roles across the programme. A key component is the replication of RAD hubs to support sustainable supply chain development in the pond sector, particularly for smallholder farmers. We will also support organisational development for the producer association. Local traders are also using the RADiCool box to improve post-harvest incomes and quality.
Foodshot Global Prize Winner Dec 2024
Our research lead, Alex Pounds has been awarded a Groundbreaker prize by FoodShot Global. The prize recognises Alex's wider research in East Africa and prize money has been awarded to ThinkAqua to strengthen our understanding of and support for the development of RAD hubs. RAD was pioneered by Dr Tim Messeder and Pauson Mpabukire in Rukungiri, Western Uganda, to provide fish farmers with a route to market for their farmed tilapia, along with the inputs and technical support needed for successful farming. ThinkAqua is an original partner of RAD. Alex will conduct research on the impact of the model as we replicate hubs across East Africa, empowering 5000 farmers and ensuring nutritious fish becomes part of more than 24 million meals.
Aquaculture Improvement Project Model Development Nov 2023
As part of our on-going collaboration with Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and YSAI (Yayasan Sinergi Akuakultur Indonesia) we have piloted the ASC Aquaculture Improvement Project model with farms in East Java. Roy van Daatselaar and Duangchai (PLA) Paungkaew from ASC have guided progress on farms connected to shrimp packers PT Sekar Bumi, Tbk. and BMI, as well as a farm supported through the improvement process by tech company JALA. Farms use the structure of the ASC Shrimp Standard to frame an Improvement Plan over a period up to three years. YSAI works with the farms to move forward consistently through each part of plan in preparation for potential certification. ThinkAqua leads on knowledge exchange, based on our experience in other improvement projects.
