About the GCAHFS
Established in 2013, the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security (GCAHFS) aims to reduce world hunger through research that supports sustainable aquaculture and ecological health of aquatic resources. The GCAHFS also works to protect and manage health of aquatic animals, including marine mammals and endangered species, such as dolphins and sea turtles. The center supports both domestic and international projects in a wide range of natural and social science areas.
Mission
The Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security (GCAHFS) furthers the mission of Mississippi State University in service by engaging MSU faculty in domestic and international development.
Faculty service aims at improving aquatic health, reducing world hunger, and building capacity to support healthy aquatic ecosystems and sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. The GCAHFS furthers the University’s mission in research by engaging MSU faculty in investigative research to address problems in aquatic health and food security.
In addition, the GCAHFS furthers the university’s mission in teaching by promoting and supporting knowledge transfer and student exchange between the U.S. and other countries as well as increasing learning opportunities for students, staff, and faculty.
Vision
The GCAHFS actively pursues the development of aquatic health and food security in the U.S. and abroad.
Because of the importance of aquaculture to the state of Mississippi, Mississippi State University has longstanding strength and expertise in aquatic health and food security. The GCAHFS serves as a facilitator to engage MSU faculty, staff, and students in domestic and international development of aquaculture and fisheries. Specifically, the GCAHFS addresses the health of aquatic environments by improving the impact these important ecosystems have on the quality of life of humans, increasing food production and security, implementing aquatic animal disease mitigation strategies, supporting aquaculture technology development and adoption, and promoting sustainable aquatic resource management.
Strategic Plan
In recognition of the considerable expertise and experience in aquatic animal health, aquaculture, and fisheries at MSU, the GCAHFS strategic plan incorporates three main goals:
Interaction and Collaboration
To stimulate interaction and collaboration between MSU faculty in aquatic animal health, aquaculture, and fisheries for development of scholarly activity, education of students, and submission of grant proposals.
Connecting MSU Internationally
In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other internationally recognized organizations, to promote and engage MSU faculty in aquatic animal health, aquaculture, and fisheries in international activities in developing countries. These international activities address sustainable aquaculture to reduce world hunger through capacity building, aquatic diagnostics, and investigative research.
Environmental Protection
In collaboration with international, national, regional, and local partners to engage MSU clinical and research faculty to improve health of marine animals in the Mississippi Sound, the U.S., and internationally. This includes engagement of students to provide clinical training in aquatic animal health and educating students on the importance of protecting marine life.