The European aquaculture industry is at a critical juncture, grappling with frequent disease outbreaks, the adverse effects of climate change, and increasing pressure to minimize antibiotic usage. With seafood production essential for global food security, immediate action is vital.

Enter Cure4Aqua, a groundbreaking initiative funded by Horizon Europe, poised to redefine fish health and welfare and foster sustainable production systems free from excessive pharmaceuticals. By uniting researchers, industry players, and policymakers, this project aims to revolutionize the way aquaculture diseases are diagnosed, prevented, and managed throughout Europe.

Collaborative Effort with Global Reach

Kicking off in late 2022 and set to run until 2027, Cure4Aqua boasts an impressive coalition of 31 partners spanning 16 countries, encompassing research institutions, universities, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), veterinary laboratories, and aquaculture producers. Coordinated by the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences (BCAS), this initiative has an ambitious budget of €4.8 million, marking it as one of the most extensive efforts to enhance disease management and welfare in European aquaculture history.

Confronting Complex Challenges

Diseases pose one of the greatest challenges to fish production, leading to significant economic losses and costly treatments. Pathogens such as parasites, bacteria, and viruses can proliferate rapidly, especially in densely populated environments. Yet, many aquaculture facilities continue to struggle with insufficient access to rapid diagnostic tools, effective vaccines, and non-antibiotic treatment alternatives. Furthermore, establishing measurable indicators of fish welfare across various species and developmental stages complicates the situation.

Innovative Solutions from Cure4Aqua

Cure4Aqua is addressing these challenges through several innovative strategies:

1. **Diagnostics**: Creation of affordable on-farm tests, AI-driven prediction tools, and non-invasive hormone monitoring to swiftly identify health issues.

2. **Vaccination**: Developing effective vaccines targeting five major fish pathogens, along with enhanced methods for vaccine delivery in hatcheries and farms.

3. **Selective Breeding**: Researching epigenetic and microbiome markers to cultivate more resilient fish species.

4. **Welfare Standards**: Establishing species-specific welfare benchmarks and indicators to assist farmers in evaluating and elevating fish welfare.

5. **Control Strategies**: Investigating alternatives like phage therapy, probiotics, and antimicrobial peptides to lessen reliance on antibiotics while fostering natural disease resistance.

Cure4Aqua is also laying the groundwork for economic models that empower farmers to weigh the costs and benefits of embracing these new solutions, ensuring that all developed tools are both functional and economical.