CSTFA About the Centre

About the Centre

Tropical regions are grappling with unprecedented challenges due to population growth and increased demand for high-quality seafood. This expansion strains wild fisheries and pushes for greater efficiency in aquaculture.

The CSTFA addresses both aquatic systems and the industries and communities they support.

Our multidisciplinary approach enables researchers to tackle significant problems more effectively than individual efforts alone.

Our Vision: To be a global leader in tropical fisheries and aquaculture research, delivering innovative solutions for sustainable food security and ecosystem health.

Our Mission: To be a hub for world-class multi-disciplinary research and collaboration, training future leaders, and engaging with industry and communities to promote hands-on and sustainable practices in tropical fisheries and aquaculture.

Centre Leadership

Research Themes

  • Advances in nutrition for resilient and sustainable productivity.
  • Development of biosecurity tools and advancing animal health.
  • Harnessing Reproductive, Genetic and Genomic Advances to Maximise Production Efficiency.
  • Diversification and integration of species for resource optimisation and Marine bioproduct development.
  • Support for the long-term sustainability, security, and environmental performance of commercial, small-scale, and subsistence tropical fisheries.
  • Diversification and enhancement of economic productivity in tropical fisheries.
  • Advance adaptive and ecosystem-based fisheries management by Understanding the biological and ecological components and processes that sustain tropical marine ecosystems and the fisheries they support.
  • Use science and innovation to progress and better align environmental and economic objectives and improve fisheries resilience to global change.
  • Engage industry, decision-makers, donors, communities, and other stakeholders in partnerships to achieve sustainable, equitable, and profitable tropical fisheries.
  • Ensuring food security to enable all consumers to have an increased choice of healthy seafood.
  • Ascertain food safety by investigating allergens and adverse reactions to seafood among consumers using advanced molecular approaches.
  • Advancement of marine biotoxins analysis & biomarkers in aquaculture research & investigation of human health concerns from aquatic species.
  • Identifying novel protein sources among aquatic species and their nutritional benefits as a food source for the growing human population.
  • Exploring marine bioactive compounds to prevent and treat diseases.
  • Driving the seafood production systems with innovation and technology to ensure a safe and sustainable seafood industry.
  • Support natural resource management and conservation initiatives to achieve equitable and sustainable governance, including positive outcomes for people.
  • Support tropical coastal communities to achieve food security and sustainable livelihoods in the context of accelerating global change.
  • Engage industry, decision-makers, donors, communities, and other stakeholders in partnerships to achieve sustainable and equitable livelihoods.
  • Facilitate access to technical training and capacity building that supports project partners in achieving livelihood goals and promotes sustained and equitable benefits from our work.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

The CSTFA supports the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to food security, economic growth and wellbeing, and life on land and water and the equitable and sustainable expansion of the Blue Economy into tropical environments.