“The current global pandemic brings to light the importance of biosecurity, especially in industries responsible for feeding people. For the safety of consumers, we must invest in disease surveillance and mitigation. We thank the researchers in our region who work to protect us and the aquatic animals and plants we farm from outbreaks and harmful pathogens.”
So writes Cheng-Sheng Lee, executive director of the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, in the most recent CTSA newsletter. While most of the Center’s operations are moving online, with some procedural slowdown expected, Dr. Lee assured stakeholders the CTSA would strive to avoid disruption. It “remains ready to help our researchers and industry stakeholders as needed.”
He emphasized, “All current ‘stay-at-home’ and ‘shelter-in-place’ orders across the country include agriculture/aquaculture as one of the top essential functions to keep society moving, reminding us of the importance of the work of our farmers and stakeholders. We extend our most sincere gratitude to you for keeping our world fed.”
Dr. Lee encourages aquaculture producers and researchers to take the newly released National Aquaculture Association survey to assess the pandemic’s effects on U.S, aquaculture and to let the CTSA know about any aquaculture-related concerns that should be brought to the local or federal government’s attention.