The ASEAN Partnership for Sustainable Aquaculture (AquASEAN) is a regional initiative led by CIRAD, in coordination with SEARCA, the ASEAN Secretariat, and partner academic institutions. The project aims to enhance the sustainability, climate resilience, and circularity of aquaculture systems across Southeast Asia. AquASEAN is structured into three major components:

• Component 1: Climate-Responsible Aquaculture Pilot interventions and field trials promoting circular, climate-resilient aquaculture systems.
• Component 2: Capacity Building Institutional and individual capacity strengthening through learning hubs, training programs, and scholarships.
• Component 3: Support for Public Policies Knowledge generation, policy tools, and strategic insights to support ASEAN-level frameworks and cooperation.

SEARCA’s role primarily covers Component 2 and Component 3, specifically:

• Establishing the ASEAN Learning Hub on climate-responsible aquaculture;
• Managing and implementing the Master’s scholarship program;
• Conducting synthesis analyses on aquaculture production, profitability, perceptions, and climate impacts;
• Developing policy briefs, conducting regional forums, and contributing to ASEAN regional guidelines and roadmap.