The Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA) were adopted by the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in July 2024. They provide a shared vision and a set of principles, practices and recommendations that countries can implement to transform their aquaculture sectors in line with the 2030 Agenda, the FAO Blue Transformation Roadmap 2022–2030 and the 2021 COFI Declaration. The GSA serve as a roadmap to foster good governance, science-based decision making, effective management and inclusive, environmentally responsible value chains based on respect for human rights. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that sustainable aquaculture delivers food security and nutrition, equitable livelihoods, restored ecosystems and climate resilience.

The Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu will host an international workshop on aquatic organism health from 27 to 30 April 2026 at Kenyir Lake, Terengganu, Malaysia. The four-day workshop focuses on aquatic forensic science techniques for assessing organism health. Participants will receive hands-on training in parasitology, candling methods, specimen slide preparation, seafood freshness assessment, and water quality monitoring. Practical sessions will take place in the natural lake environment. The programme includes houseboat excursions and field activities at Kenyir Lake.

The workshop fee is RM2,500 (USD650) per person, covering accommodation, meals, and training materials for the three-night stay. Registration closes on 15 April 2026. Places are limited. The programme is registered with HRD Corp Malaysia. Contact Mrs. Nurul Hayati Ismail at [email protected] or call 011-3234 3064 for registration details.

The Freshwater Fisheries Research Center in China is offering fully funded two-year Master's degrees in aquaculture and fisheries to students from developing countries. The Chinese Government Scholarship covers all tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and international travel, allowing students to focus entirely on their studies at Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University.                                                                                                                              
The program targets young professionals who need advanced training in aquaculture and fisheries to support their work in the region. Successful applicants will benefit from comprehensive support including a living stipend throughout their stay and round-trip airfare for enrolment, graduation, and home leave.

Applications close on 6 June 2026.

Prince of Songkla University in Thailand is inviting applications for two scholarship opportunities:

• The Graduate Studies Scholarship supports international students pursuing Master's or Doctoral degrees, with applications due 15 March 2026.
• The PhD Student Exchange Scholarship enables international PhD students to conduct research at PSU, with applications closing 20 March 2026.

Both programmes offer outstanding candidates the chance to study and conduct research at one of Thailand's leading universities. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements for each programme. 

In this issue:

• Improved larval rearing of Heteropneustes fossilis with live fish food organism - a method practised in the farmer’s field
• From scarcity to supply: The Nalbari magur (Clarias batrachus) seed hub in north-eastern India
• Fish dressing facilities in inland areas of India: Challenges and opportunities
• Entrepreneurship development through brackish water ornamental fish farming in Indian Sundarbans
• Farm brief: Medicinal leech farming, China 
• NACA Newsletter