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The Gangetic swamp eel, Ophichtys cuchia, is one of the highest-value indigenous freshwater fish in Northeast India, yet almost all of it still comes from the wild. A 2025 market survey in Manipur recorded it selling at Rs. 800/kg against Rs. 150 to 200/kg for common carp. Wild stocks are falling as wetlands are drained, paddy fields are sprayed with pesticides and capture continues unregulated. This review brings together what is known about the biology, nutrition and culture potential of the species, with particular reference to the eight northeastern states. It covers the eel's air-breathing adaptations and tolerance of low oxygen, its protandrous sex change and the breeding problems this creates, nutritional composition, and pond and rice-field trials from Bangladesh reporting yields up to 2,506 kg/ha. Seed supply remains the main obstacle, as no hatchery network produces fingerlings in India.

The floodplains of the Brahmaputra valley in northeast India hold an abundance of waters, but lowland fish productivity there has received far less study than in western and central India. An assessment at the Gerua Centre of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Assam, has identified ten aquaculture-based development options for the campus and the surrounding lowlands. Integrated farming combines rice with fish in trenches and dugouts, horticultural crops on the embankments and duck, pig or poultry components. Existing carp-based polyculture ponds yield 3,500 to 4,500 kg per hectare and can be improved, with the low output attributed to imbalanced stocking densities, poor-quality seed, insufficient supplementary feeding and poor water management. Other options include monoculture of climbing perch, nursery rearing of spawn to fingerlings, ornamental fish production, biofloc technology, recirculating systems and freshwater pearl culture. In the wetlands, which make up 50% of India's total and where catches have fallen, culture-based fisheries with cage and pen culture are preferred.

The Philippines is preparing a five-year National Innovation and Investment Plan to modernise its aquaculture sector. In September 2026, BFAR, NACA and FAO met with researchers and industry representatives in Quezon City to review the draft.

The plan covers the country's five priority commodities: seaweed, milkfish, tilapia, shrimp and shellfish. It aims to accelerate and build on extend existing government targets for industry development.

Proposals include better-quality certified seed, stronger disease diagnosis and biosecurity support, and a clear path for farms to move up the levels of good aquaculture practices certification to reach better-paying markets. The plan also looks at solar power and smart equipment to cut farm energy costs.

Other proposals include digital tools for certification and traceability, and closer links between farmers and buyers. It also targets higher exports of seaweed, milkfish and shrimp. The final plan is due to commence implementation in early 2027 and will help attract investment into the sector.

World Veterinary Education in Production Animal Health (WVEPAH) is convening a training course on the Fundamentals of operational farm health management in Aquaculture from 16-20 November 2026. The course will be held in hybrid mode at the James Cook University in Singapore.

The course provides a comprehensive and practical training program designed for aquaculture health professionals seeking to strengthen their expertise in aquatic animal health, biosecurity, diagnostics, epidemiology, and farm management. Delivered under the One Health approach, the program combines scientific knowledge and field-based training to strengthen sustainable aquaculture systems from farm to national and international levels.

Early bird registration rates apply until 31 October.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr Banchong Tiensongrusmee, who served as Coordinator of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific from 1991 to 1996.

Dr Tiensongrusmee made a valued contribution to the development of NACA and to regional cooperation in aquaculture.

We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues, and our deepest sympathies to all those who knew and worked with him.

Funeral rites will be held at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Wora Maha Wihan, Sala 16, Bangkok, with prayers on 4–6 September 2026 and cremation on 7 September 2026.