Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish Annual Report October 2018-September 2019

The lab is managed by Mississippi State University and is housed in the Global Center for Aquatic Food Security. The management entity is advised by the Fish Innovation Lab External Advisory Board, which provides strategic direction and scientific oversight for the lab's activities. The lab has implemented Quick Start projects in four countries: Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia. In-country coordinators have been contracted to facilitate and coordinate lab activities in these regions. The lab has also established partnerships with several universities and research institutions, including the University of Rhode Island, Research Triangle Institute International, Washington University in St. Louis, and Texas State University. The lab's research projects focus on various aspects of aquaculture and fisheries, including the analysis of the aquaculture post-harvest chain in Nigeria, assessing facilitators and barriers to aquaculture and fish consumption in Zambia, genome sequencing and development of SNP markers from rohu in Bangladesh, improving nutrition among vulnerable populations in Kenya through increased access to and consumption of sustainable fish foods, and replacing fishmeal with single-cell proteins in tilapia. The lab's research is guided by a theory of change and results framework, which outlines the expected outcomes and impacts of the lab's activities. The lab's goals and objectives are to improve the productivity and sustainability of aquaculture and fisheries, increase access to and consumption of fish and fish products, and improve the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and their families. The lab's research projects have made significant progress in the past year, with several key accomplishments reported. These include the completion of a study on the analysis of the aquaculture post-harvest chain in Nigeria, the development of a genome sequencing and SNP marker development project in Bangladesh, and the initiation of a project to improve nutrition among vulnerable populations in Kenya through increased access to and consumption of sustainable fish foods. The lab's research has also highlighted several key challenges and opportunities in the aquaculture and fisheries sector. These include the need for improved post-harvest handling and processing practices, the importance of gender integration and social inclusion in aquaculture and fisheries development, and the potential for single-cell proteins to replace fishmeal in aquaculture feeds. Overall, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish is making significant contributions to the improvement of aquaculture and fisheries in developing countries. The lab's research projects are focused on addressing key challenges and opportunities in the sector, and its partnerships with universities and research institutions are helping to build capacity and promote knowledge sharing in the region.