Rohana P. Subasinghe

Rohana Subasinghe is a Sri Lankan/Italian with over 30 years of solid professional experience in aquaculture and aquatic animal health management. Graduated (with honors) from Colombo University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1979. Received an MSc in Aquaculture from the University of Plymouth in 1982 and a PhD in Aquatic Animal Health Management from the University of Stirling in 1986. From 1990 to 1994 worked as the Deputy Coordinator of an Asia regional research program on aquatic animal health management funded by the Government of Canada (International Development Research Centre Canada - IDRC), based at the Universiti Putra Malaysia. Joined FAO Fisheries Department in 1994 and served for 22 years until retired in 2015 as the Chief of the Aquaculture Service of FAO. Professional experience of 22 years at FAO includes; 6 years as Fishery Resources Officer (Fish Health) and 14 years as Senior Aquaculture Officer (Aquaculture and Fish Health), and 2 years as the Chief of the Aquaculture Service. Responsible in establishing a sizable global program on aquatic animal health management, bringing together a large number and variety of partner institutions worldwide to assist FAO Members. Designed, formulated, and implemented many inter-regional, regional and national technical cooperation programs and projects and produced many high-quality technical publications and manuals. Engaged in extensive and at times complicated frontline negotiations and discussion with FAO members and regional organizations and brought together several important regional agreements and consensus which resulted in significant policy changes at national and regional levels. Working with WorldFish since 2016 to-date and currently serving as the Technical Lead to the WorldFish/Nigeria. Founder member and former Chairperson of the Fish Health Section of the Asian Fisheries Society, honorary life member of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and Past President of the Asia-Pacific Chapter of WAS. Strong advocate of sustainable, responsible, and equitable aquaculture and improving its contribution to poverty alleviation and food and nutrition security.