The newly established National Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture convened its first academic committee meeting at IHB on March 31, 2025. (Credit: IHB)

The newly established National Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture convened its first academic committee meeting at the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on March 31, 2025, bringing together China's top aquaculture experts to chart a course for sustainable fisheries development. 

Chaired by Prof. CHEN Yiyu (CAS member), the meeting gathered fourteen distinguished scientists including five CAS academicians, alongside leadership from multiple marine research institutions. The hybrid event attracted over 100 participants from research and management sectors.

In his address, Prof. MIAO Wei, director of IHB, emphasized that the institute will optimize the allocation of innovation resources, strengthen strategic focus, improve operational efficiency, and provide robust support for the laboratory’s innovation and development. He expressed hope that, under the guidance of the academic committee, the laboratory will successfully achieve its development goals and deliver outstanding scientific outcomes.

ZHAO Xingang, deputy director of the Agricultural Office at the Bureau of Sustainable Development Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted that the restructuring of the national key laboratory system is a strategic move to strengthen China's scientific and technological capabilities, enhance the national innovation system, and secure leadership in innovation development. He noted that the National Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, oriented toward major national strategic needs, has demonstrated remarkable achievements through highly organized research and efficient restructuring. Zhao stressed that in 2025, the laboratory must continue to align its work closely with national strategies and major demands, advance initiatives with high quality and precision, and fully fulfill its assigned missions and responsibilities. 

Prof. XU Zhen, director of the Laboratory, presented a comprehensive report covering the laboratory’s structure, major research progress, scientific achievements, talent development, scientific collaborations, international exchanges, and plans for future work. 

Committee members engaged in an in-depth discussion on the laboratory's overall status, the achievements made in 2024, and the plans for the next phase. They unanimously recognized the laboratory’s strong historical foundation, clear research directions, and significant progress in research and talent development since its reorganization. Looking ahead, the committee proposed four key recommendations: further refine research topics around the major needs of the national aquaculture industry, strengthen inter-institutional collaborative research, leverage emerging disciplines such as artificial intelligence to support precision breeding and efficient aquaculture, and continue to enhance talent team building.

Prof. CHEN Yiyu (CAS member) gave remarks at the meeting. (Credit: IHB)