On 30 November 2022, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and INVE Aquaculture, a Benchmark Company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly set up SFA-INVE Hatchery
Technology Centre at SFA’s Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC).
The proposed Centre will bring together SFA’s expertise in hatchery design and production for tropical marine species (e.g. Asian seabass and red snapper), as well as INVE’s in-depth knowledge of specialised fish nutrition for early developmental stages, including their patented technologies for live feeds. SFA and INVE scientists will jointly conduct research to develop advanced hatchery technologies (such as automated hatchery system for rotifer and artemia production) compatible with tropical marine species and environments.
The Centre will also serve as a training hub for farmers from Singapore and the region for knowledge transfer, to help build up a consistent supply of good quality fish fry for production. This will also contribute to Singapore’s “30 by 30” food security goal, which aims to build the agri-food industry’s capability and capacity to sustainably produce 30% of Singapore’s nutritional needs by 2030.
The MOU was jointly signed by Mr Chan Hian Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Corporate, Industry, and Technology) of SFA and Mr Patrick Waty, Chief Executive Officer of INVE. It demonstrates the shared commitment of SFA and INVE in R&D collaboration, and knowledge exchanges to level up tropical marine hatchery technology to achieve sustainable aquaculture production in Singapore and the region.
Chan said, “This strategic collaboration brings together local and INVE’s leading hatchery experts, to develop solutions and technologies for the tropical marine hatchery. This a significant step towards our ambition of making Singapore a leading innovation and research hub for sustainable tropical marine aquaculture, bringing us closer to our “30 by 30” food security goal.”
Waty said, “This cooperation is an excellent opportunity for synergizing mutual skills to benefit aquaculture in the region. SFA’s MAC in Singapore is a perfect location for accelerating and unlocking the high potential of developments in a still young but fast-growing aquaculture industry.
Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is the lead agency for food-related matters. Its mission is to ensure and secure a safe food supply for Singapore. SFA works hand-in-hand with the industry and consumers to grow our three “food baskets” –Diversify import sources, Grow local, and Grow overseas, as well as ensure food safety from farm-to-fork. SFA also partners with food businesses to strengthen capabilities, tap into technologies to raise productivity, undertake research to develop new lines of business, and catalyze industry transformation to ensure food security.
INVE Aquaculture is a world-leading provider of specialist nutrition for the early stages of shrimp and fish production. INVE specializes in providing state-of-the-art solutions in three main domains that are essential to aquaculture production: optimization of animal nutrition, careful management of animal health, and rigorous control of the cultural environment. All INVE products and solutions help fish and shrimp develop to their full potential throughout the production chain and prove their added value in hundreds of hatcheries and farms worldwide every day.
Benchmark is a leading market-leading aquaculture biotechnology company. Benchmark’s mission is to drive sustainability in aquaculture by delivering products and solutions in genetics, advanced nutrition and health which improve yield, growth and animal health and welfare. Through a global footprint in 26 countries and a broad portfolio of products and solutions, Benchmark addresses many of the major aquaculture species – salmon, shrimp, sea bass and sea bream, and tilapia, in all the major aquaculture regions around the world. Benchmark Advanced Nutrition operates in the global market as INVE Aquaculture.
