Fish farming efforts among local farmers must be supported through vaccine development as a strategic step to safeguard the health of aquaculture production in Indonesia.
Although vaccine development began in the 1990s and has continued through collaboration with research institutions and industry, its use in the field remains suboptimal due to low demand and limited incentives for producers.
“Vaccine demand in Indonesia remains low, despite the availability of research-based vaccines developed by UGM and other institutions. The main challenges lie in distribution, regulation, and the absence of consistent policy support,” said Professor Alim Isnansetyo, Chair of the Department of Fisheries at UGM, during the Fish Vaccine Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture workshop held on Monday (Jul. 14) at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture.
According to Professor Isnansetyo, one of the key challenges in implementing fish vaccination in Indonesia involves both technical and geographical factors. The morphology of local fish species, such as catfish and tilapia, differs from that of salmon, necessitating modifications in vaccination tools and methods.
He also pointed out the difficulty of distributing vaccines to remote areas as a major hurdle. He emphasized the importance of continuing research that is aligned with domestic needs and urged the government to formulate policies that accelerate the industrialization of fish vaccines.
“Automatic vaccination machines designed for salmon in developed countries may not be suitable for species like catfish or tilapia, which are more common in Indonesia. Local technology adaptation is essential,” he asserted.
Professor Dini Siswani Mulia from Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo also emphasized the importance of vaccination in reducing fish mortality caused by bacterial infections.
She highlighted Aeromonas spp. as one of the main pathogens threatening the success of aquaculture, especially in freshwater species such as catfish. She further emphasized the importance of developing vaccines using local isolates to ensure greater effectiveness and efficacy.
“Vaccines have been shown to reduce mortality rates by 70 to 90 percent and decrease antibiotic use by up to 60 percent. This is vital for maintaining sustainable aquaculture and preventing antimicrobial resistance,” Professor Mulia explained.
In the next session, Professor Ina Salwany from Universiti Putra Malaysia shared her research experiences in marine fish vaccination in Malaysia.
She has actively conducted studies on commercial fish vaccines and developed vaccination methods suitable for tropical conditions. She emphasized the importance of involving students and industry stakeholders in strengthening regional aquaculture vaccination efforts.
“This workshop has been incredibly valuable. We’ve been able to share insights on the challenges of marine fish vaccination, from research and implementation to inter-institutional collaboration. I hope this initiative continues and fosters greater synergy among Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom,” she said.
Dr. Tharangani Herath of Harper Adams University, United Kingdom, also provided insights on the importance of advancing science-based vaccination technologies.
She delivered a presentation on vaccine adjuvants, additives used to enhance the protective efficacy of vaccines. Her ongoing research focuses on fish immunology and the development of efficient vaccines for tropical and subtropical aquaculture.
“I was pleased to see the active participation of Indonesian students. Today, I presented on vaccine adjuvants, which are critical components added to vaccines to improve their effectiveness. This is a vital foundation for developing safe and highly protective vaccines,” she said.
This morning’s workshop marked the beginning of the 6th International Symposium on Marine and Fisheries Research (ISMFR) and the 22nd Annual National Seminar on Fisheries and Marine Research (Semnaskan), scheduled to take place on July 15–16, 2025. The event will showcase the latest research findings in fisheries and marine science from national and international institutions.
This year’s ISMFR and Semnaskan highlight the interconnected themes of Blue Economy, Blue Finance, and Blue Justice in promoting sustainable marine production.
The symposium is expected to attract more than 200 participants from countries such as Malaysia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Australia, as well as keynote speakers from leading universities and research institutions worldwide.
The event serves not only as a scientific forum but also as a symbol of shared commitment to building a healthier, more equitable, and knowledge-based aquaculture system.
With strong collaboration and cross-sector support, transforming fish vaccination systems in Southeast Asia is well within reach.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographer: Donnie