## BRIN Develops New Fish Vaccine to Boost Food Productivity

Ensuring a Healthy​ Future for Fish ⁢farms: Innovation in Vaccine ⁤Development

Maintaining⁢ the health of farmed fish is ‌crucial for‍ food security. Disease outbreaks can significantly impact⁤ productivity and profitability. ⁤Recognizing this challenge, researchers at the National‍ research ⁢and Innovation Agency’s (BRIN) Veterinary Research Center (PRVet) are focusing on developing effective fish vaccines and medicines.Angela Mariana Lusiastuti, a researcher at‌ the center, highlights the importance of this ⁤work. “Managing the health ⁢of farmed ⁢fish is important ⁣because ⁤disease outbreaks ​in fish farming can reduce productivity and profitability,” she ‍explains. One of the challenges ⁢in vaccinating fish is the logistical complexity of using​ liquid vaccines. These vaccines are prone‌ to​ damage‍ and are difficult to store and transport, especially over long distances. To address this issue,⁤ Lusiastuti has developed an​ innovative ‍solution:⁣ a⁤ chitosan-coated freeze-dried vaccine.”It‌ is easy ‌to mobilize and maintain‍ the‍ quality and effectiveness of ⁢vaccines⁣ at high temperatures ⁣for long-distance ‍transportation,” she explains. Beyond vaccines, Lusiastuti emphasizes the need ⁢for​ research and collaboration on zoonotic diseases, which can‌ pose a threat to both human and animal health. These diseases have re-emerged in recent ​years, driven by environmental ⁣contaminants like toxins, heavy metals, hormones, and pesticides.

The Nutritional ⁣importance‌ of Fish

Fish play a vital role in ‍global‍ nutrition. They ‌are an excellent ⁣source ‌of animal protein with less⁤ fat than other protein sources.⁢ Fish also ‌provide Omega-3 fatty acids, essential nutrients that⁢ our ​bodies can’t ⁣produce naturally. These fatty acids are crucial for preventing stunting, a serious public health concern. Fish with edible bones, such as sardines, are notably valuable as they are rich in‍ vitamin D. ​Studies have ‌also shown a correlation between ‌high fish⁢ consumption and a reduced risk‍ of several autoimmune⁤ diseases.

Global Standards for Aquatic Health

Dedi⁢ Chandra, ‌Forest Ecosystem Controller at the ministry ​of Forestry, emphasizes the importance​ of⁢ aquatic food security, especially⁣ in the face of climate change. He highlights the fish health standards established by the World Organization for‌ Animal⁤ Health (WOAH). These standards⁤ prioritize disease prevention, early detection, reporting, ‌and control‍ to⁢ ensure the safety of ⁢international trade in ⁢fishery products. “The purpose⁢ of ⁤aquatic‌ standards is to improve ‌the safety and health ⁢of aquatic animals in ‍the world,” Chandra states. ‌These standards aim to ‍safeguard the global trade of aquatic animals and their products while ⁢avoiding unneeded⁤ trade ​barriers.
##‌ Ensuring ‌Healthy​ Fish ⁤Farms: A‌ Conversation on Innovation ⁢and Global Standards



**Q:** ​⁣ Angela Mariana ‍Lusiastuti, why is it so⁢ crucial to prioritize the health of farmed fish?



**Angela Mariana Lusiastuti:** Managing the health of farmed fish is ‍paramount because outbreaks ​can significantly ​reduce ⁢productivity and profitability. This directly impacts food ⁤security and the livelihoods ‍of those depending⁤ on‍ the ‌aquaculture industry.



**Q:** You’ve developed a novel approach to‍ fish vaccination. Could you elaborate⁤ on your ⁤innovation?



**Angela Mariana Lusiastuti:** Traditionally,​ liquid vaccines pose⁣ logistical challenges due‌ to sensitivity to ⁢damage and difficulty in storage and transport. ‌My solution is a chitosan-coated freeze-dried vaccine.This innovative⁢ format allows for ease of transportation and maintains vaccine quality‌ even at high temperatures, making it ideal for long distances.



**Q:** Dedi Chandra, what role do global standards play in ensuring aquatic food security?



**Dedi Chandra:** Global⁢ standards, such as those set by WOAH, are crucial for safeguarding aquatic animal health⁣ and traded products.They prioritize prevention, early detection, reporting, and ​control⁤ of diseases. This ⁤not only⁣ protects against outbreaks but also ensures the safety of‌ international trade and avoids unnecessary trade barriers.



**Q:** Angela, you also⁣ mentioned the​ importance of research‍ on zoonotic diseases.Why ⁢is this area so critical?



**Angela Mariana Lusiastuti:** ⁣Zoonotic diseases, those that can be transmitted between animals and humans, ⁢pose a serious threat. ​ Their re-emergence ⁢is linked to environmental‍ contamination from toxins, ‍heavy metals,‌ and‍ pesticides. Collaboration and‌ research in this field are essential to protecting both ⁤human ‍and animal health.

## Ensuring a Healthy future for Fish Farms: Innovation in Vaccine growth





**Q:** Angela Mariana Lusiastuti, why is it so crucial to prioritize the health of farmed fish?



**A:**



Managing the health of farmed fish is paramount as outbreaks can substantially reduce productivity and profitability.This directly impacts food security and the livelihoods of those depending on the aquaculture industry.



**Q:** You’ve developed a novel approach to fish vaccination. Could you elaborate on your innovation?



**A:** Traditionally, liquid vaccines pose logistical challenges due to their sensitivity to damage and difficulty in storage and transport. My solution is a chitosan-coated freeze-dried vaccine. This innovative format allows for ease of transportation and maintains vaccine quality even at high temperatures, making it ideal for long distances.





**Q:** Angela,you also mentioned the importance of research on zoonotic diseases. Why is this area so critical?



**A:** Zoonotic diseases,those that can be transmitted between animals and humans,pose a serious threat. Their re-emergence is linked to environmental contamination from toxins, heavy metals, and pesticides. Collaboration and research in this field are essential to protecting both human and animal health.



## The Nutritional Importance of Fish



**Q:** What is the importance of fish in our diets?



**A:** fish are an excellent source of animal protein with less fat than other protein sources. They also provide Omega-3 fatty acids,essential nutrients that our bodies can’t produce naturally. These fatty acids are crucial for preventing stunting, a serious public health concern.



**Q:**Are there any specific types of fish that offer unique nutritional benefits?



**A:** Fish with edible bones,such as sardines,are notably valuable as they are rich in vitamin D. Studies have also shown a correlation between high fish consumption and a reduced risk of several autoimmune diseases.



## Global Standards for Aquatic Health



**Q:** Dedi Chandra, what role do global standards play in ensuring aquatic food security?



**A:** Global standards, such as those set by WOAH, are crucial for safeguarding aquatic animal health and traded products. They prioritize prevention, early detection, reporting, and control of diseases. This not only protects against outbreaks but also ensures the safety of international trade and avoids needless trade barriers.