World Aquaculture Singapore (WA2026) will bring the global aquaculture community to Singapore from 2–5 June 2026 at the Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre, reaffirming the city-state’s position as a leading hub for aquaculture innovation, technology, and knowledge exchange in Asia and beyond. The event is expected to attract international scientists, researchers, and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of sustainable aquatic food production.
Aquaculture Development in Singapore
AquaPolis Launches Asian Seabass R&D programme
Uniting Industry and Research to Strengthen Singapore’s Food Resilience Singapore – The Singapore Food Agency has awarded S$18.5 million to the AquaPolis for the Asian Seabass R&D Programme. Announced in November 2025, the programme brings together eight research institutions and 19 industry collaborators to lower production costs and enhance the quality of locally farmed Asian seabass.
The R&D is anchored on three core pillars: selective breeding, nutrition optimisation and disease management. Building on advances in previous genomic selection programmes of Asian seabass, the team will develop next-generation, parasite-resistant fingerlings with improved robustness and lower mortality. These breeding efforts will be complemented by advanced feeding strategies and a comprehensive disease management framework to improve growth performance and fillet quality. Together, these innovations aim to strengthen the competitiveness of locally produced Asian seabass against imports. The AquaPolis Asian Seabass R&D Programme sits within the broader Singapore Food Story (SFS) R&D Programme and supports the national goal of building a resilient, productive local food supply.
For more information on the SFS R&D Programme, visit https://www.sfa.gov.sg/recognition-programmes-grants/grants/singapore-food-story-rd-grant-call
A Global Platform for Collaboration
World Aquaculture Singapore 2026 will feature plenary session and keynote sessions, technical presentations, industry exhibitions, and extensive networking opportunities designed to address both global challenges and regional opportunities in aquaculture. The event theme, “High Yield Production Through Nutrition, Health, Genetics, and Resources,” reflects the sector’s shift toward integrated, science-based solutions for sustainable growth.
A key highlight on the first day of the program, June 3 at 9:00 AM, will be the plenary session featuring national speakers, followed by a keynote presentation by Richard Barry, Senior Market Analyst and Director of Programs at the National Fisheries Institute, USA. His presentation, “U.S. Seafood Market—Sourcing Dynamics and Consumer Behaviors in a Tariff Trade Environment,” will examine global aquaculture trends and the strategic importance of sustainable aquatic food systems.
Richard Barry is Senior Market Analyst and Director of Programs with the National Fisheries Institute, a trade association for the U.S. seafood industry. His work includes the NFI Sushi Council, industry education (i.e., sensory workshops and the NFI Seafood School) and planning and programing for NFI’s annual event, the Global Seafood Market Conference. He is a NFI Future Leader alum, class of 2016. He graduated from James Madison University in 2010 and spent a year in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest in Omak, WA working in legal aid.
