Dr. Inbakandan Dhinakarasamy is a distinguished marine biologist and ecosystem researcher with over 28 years of experience in ocean biosciences, marine ecology, and sustainable aquaculture. He holds a ...
GROUPE DE COMMISSION DE L'UICN
IUCN CEM Ecosystem Based Aquaculture Task Force
Vue d'ensemble et description
Description:
The CEM Ecosystem-based Aquaculture Specialist Group aims to foster the sustainable development of aquaculture and to promote the conservation of related marine and freshwater biodiversity. To fulfil ...
Leadership de groupe
Dr Dhinakarasamy INBAKANDAN
Co-Lead
Dr. Inbakandan Dhinakarasamy is a distinguished marine biologist and ecosystem researcher with over 28 years of experience in ocean biosciences, marine ecology, and sustainable aquaculture. He holds a Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Oceanography and has further enriched his expertise through advanced certifications in bioinformatics, microbial biotechnology, environmental law, and climate change. Currently serving as Professor (Research) and Head at the Centre for Ocean Research, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, he leads interdisciplinary research at the National Facility for Coastal and Marine Research, with a focus on marine genomics, biofouling control, climate-resilient aquaculture, and coastal ecosystem conservation.
Dr. Inbakandan plays a key leadership role as Co-Lead of the Ecosystem-based Aquaculture & Fisheries Group (E-bAG) under the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM). In this capacity, he actively promotes science-based, ecosystem-focused solutions for sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, advocating participatory approaches and community empowerment in coastal and marine resource governance. His role strengthens the integration of ecological principles into aquaculture practices across diverse socio-ecological landscapes.
Over his career, he has contributed to more than 37 sponsored research projects, including six as Principal Investigator, advancing innovations aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 14. As Technical Director of Samudhrika, a native ocean-based startup, and Domain Expert in Blue Biotechnology at the Sathyabama Technology Business Incubator, he also fosters translational science and entrepreneurship in the blue economy.
Dr. Inbakandan has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications, 13 book chapters, and holds 11 patents. He serves on the editorial boards of international journals including PLOS ONE, BMC Research Notes, and Mitochondrial DNA Part B, and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the DST-SERB Young Scientist Award. Through his academic leadership, policy contributions, and outreach efforts, he remains a key contributor to enhancing ecosystem resilience, advancing marine sustainability, and shaping the future of climate-smart aquaculture and fisheries globally.
Ms Maddelyn Harden, Ph.D.
Co-Lead
I am a molecular biology researcher and educator with over 11 years of experience specializing in genetics, marine science, and conservation. My expertise includes program and project management, data analysis, and leadership in developing innovative solutions for marine and fisheries conservation.
At USC’s Nuzhdin Lab, I have successfully led advanced biology courses, developed new curricula, and coordinated multi-year, collaborative research initiatives. My research is dedicated to advancing ocean sustainability, fisheries management, and climate change policy, driven by a passion for protecting marine ecosystems. My journey began with a senior thesis on the ecological and economic impacts of bait usage in the Maine lobster industry, which ignited my commitment to marine biology and fisheries management. This experience inspired me to pursue a PhD at USC, focusing on the genetic underpinnings of kelp heat stress response in California to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change.
Beyond research, I actively seek to apply science in policy and conservation settings. As the Policy and Advocacy Chair in the California-Nevada chapter of the American Fisheries Society, I initiate policy discussions and engage stakeholders to promote the conservation and sustainability of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. In my role as Policy and Advocacy Co-Chair for the Genetics Society of America’s Early Career Leadership Program, I collaborate with fellow early-career scientists to identify and address key challenges within the scientific community, enhancing our policy communication skills through targeted workshops and initiatives.
My focus lies at the intersection of marine science, international policy, and climate resilience, where I aim to influence global environmental policy through data-driven solutions and collaborative efforts.
I am a molecular biology researcher and educator with over 11 years of experience specializing in genetics, marine science, and conservation. My expertise includes program and project management, data ...
Future World demands of marine protein will be mainly covered by the increasing supply of aquaculture products, which as growing activity in many coastal and marine areas, is faced with environmental, social and technical issues. Aquaculture development requires addressing its future relationship with marine biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate change scenarios.
The Ecosystem-based Aquaculture Group (E-bAG) is an IUCN experts group with global expertise on aquaculture management and development, including biodiversity, ecosystem processes and precautionary approaches.
The E-bAG is being established to address the need for aquaculture competence within the Commission on Ecosystem Management of the IUCN, contributing to the leading paradigm in conservation and management issues of aquatic environments.
Objectives
The mission of the IUCN/CEM/E-bAG is to foster the sustainable development of aquaculture and to promote the conservation of related marine and freshwater biodiversity. To fulfil this mission, the IUCN/CEM/E-bAG will seek to influence aquaculture policy and related conservation strategies as well as to propose responsible management methods and tools. The IUCN/CEM/E-bAG will build bridges between stakeholders; it will offer guidance to managers and practitioners and will develop an integrated approach between institutions and environmental organizations, both governmental and non-governmental.
The E-bAG will incorporate in its objectives the five priority programmatic elements of the Commission of Ecosystem Management. These five objectives of the E-bAG are:
- The Ecosystem Approach - To promote and facilitate the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach in all aquaculture production levels and procedures;
- Ecosystem Services – To identify and to measure the importance (value) of ecosystem services in relation with aquaculture practices.
- Indicators of Ecosystem Status - To develop and apply indicators to measure the changes on the status of ecosystems (vulnerability; risk of species extinction) because of aquaculture related procedures and activities;
- Ecosystem Management Tools – To develop and facilitate the use of Ecosystem Management Tools (e.g., capacity-building, training, coastal zone development) in the recommendations and conclusions the group would come up with;
- Ecosystem Restoration - To establish a capacity of aquaculture to promote Ecosystem Restoration (e.g. species re-stocking) and adaptation to climate change (e.g., protection of shorelines);
For meeting its objectives, E-bAG will develpp several activities such as: reviewing the status of ecosystems of aquaculture sites, identifying and considering ecosystem issues in aquaculture management; promoting better practices and sustainable approaches in ecosystem-based aquaculture management; organizing multidisciplinary dialogues on aquaculture ecosystem issues; exploring positive interactions between aquaculture and natural ecosystem to enhance sustainability of the activity; providing IUCN mechanisms with high level aquaculture expertise; facilitating collaboration and promote synergies amongst IUCN members related with aquaculture development.