More than 40 years after the launching of the International Study on Artemia (an international interdisciplinary study of Artemia species and strains) that resulted in a lot of new knowledge and several new developments in fish and crustacean aquaculture, there are several reasons to launch a new initiative to guarantee a more sustainable provision of Artemia and to explore several new opportunities:

1.conservation of Artemia biodiversity

2.use of science-based protocols/guidelines for sustainable harvesting of wild sources

3.socio-economic opportunities for integration of Artemia production as extra income in the many seasonal artisanal salt farms in Asia and Africa

4.study of the impact of climate change on Artemia production

5.further knowledge on basic biology issues in Artemia (parthenogenesis, diapause, lipid metabolism, etc.)

6.development of new applications through strain selection and selective breeding

7.integration of extractive Artemia farming with intensive fish/crustacean aquaculture

8.use of Artemia biomass as a high-value protein ingredient in local human diets

9.propagation of improved guidelines, updated FAO Artemia manual, and increased training and extension services

With the setting up of the International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium we hope to facilitate the setting up of new joint research programs, the organization of workshops and training sessions, and ultimately call upon the attention of the international organisations to formally support this initiative.

We are launching this new IAAC website (courtesy Asia Regional Artemia Reference center) to create a platform for exchange where we can share information about the activities of our present membership, post new literature and other information dealing with Artemia, announce and invite participants for specific workshops and webinars, prepare our first formal Artemia workshop at the occasion of the FAO Global Conference on Aquaculture scheduled for September 24, 2021 in Shanghai (China).

Enjoy the new IAAC website and don’t hesitate to approach us with your questions or suggestions.

Patrick Sorgeloos
patrick.sorgeloos@ugent.be