A discussion of issues affecting the sustainability of culture-based fisheries development.

A discussion of risk management in the context of culture-based fisheries.

A presentation on mainstreaming gender issues in culture-based fisheries development.

How an entrepreneurship plan facilitated the development of culture-based Fisheries in a Sri Lankan reservoir.

A discussion of the governance issues relevant to culture-based fisheries at local community, provincial and national levels.

People-oriented approaches for engaging communities in culture-based fisheries development.

Harmonising culture-based fisheries with other users and uses of water resources.

A technical presentation on selection of appropriate species in culture-based fisheries.

A presentation on technical assessment of water bodies for culture-based fisheries production potential.

A presentation on assessment of the suitability of water bodies for culture-based fisheries development.

A presentation on the current state of culture-based fisheries practices in Vietnam.

A presentation on the current state of culture-based fisheries practices in China.

A briefing on the context and relevance of culture-based fisheries in rural development.

Video presentation on the rationale for increased fish production and consumption.

The first ever Regional Training Course on Culture-based Fisheries in Inland Waters was held at Nha Trang University from 30 October to 8 November. The objective of the course was to provide participants with the skills to assist local communities to plan and manage culture-based fisheries. These practices are an example of a relatively simple and low cost technology that can deliver nutritional and economic benefits to rural communities, which often have few livelihood options.

In this issue:

Regional network on culture-based fisheries and stock enhancement; trout fisheries in the uplands of Arunachal Pradesh - resources and opportunities; empowering young Indian women through entrepreneurship development - opportunities and constraints; a view on murrel (snakehead) fisheries in India; hybrid catfish Clarias batrachus x Heteropneustes fossilis produced by farmers in West Bengal, India; Backyard fish based pig farming using low-cost feed in Arunachal Pradesh - a success story; NACA Newsletter.

In this issue:

28th NACA Governing Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh; register for the First Regional Training Course on Culture-based Fisheries; 11th Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum, Kochi, 21-24 November; audio recordings for regional feed consultation now available; tilapia lake virus; Proceedings of the International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health and Epidemiology for Sustainable Asian Aquaculture; ICAR-CIBA launch "Vanami Shrimpapp", a mobile app on Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming; Pakistan officials train on aquaculture certification.

There are many initiatives underway which are designed to increase food supply, employment and income opportunities, most of which require considerable capital inputs. Often overlooked, are the opportunities to produce more food from the natural productivity of local ecosystems. Culture-based fisheries are one example of a relatively simple and low cost technology which can deliver nutritional and economic benefits to communities which often have few livelihood options.

The first Regional Training Course on Culture-based Fisheries will be held from 29 October to 9 November 2017 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The course is designed to guide development professionals in the design of culture-based fisheries managed by local communities.

Culture-based fisheries (CBF) are often conducted in small water bodies, perennial and or seasonal, that retain water for at least six to eight months of the year. CBF are stock enhancement practices in water bodies that are generally incapable of supporting sustainable fisheries through self-recruiting fish populations, and where the stock is managed and owned, either individually and or collectively. Feed is rarely added and the stock are left to forage on natural foods.

Improvements to fish yield in small water bodies as well as to the incomes and nutritional status of rural communities have been demonstrated. in Laos, Sri Lanka and Vietnam but culture-based fisheries practices are not yet widespread, despite having significant potential in tropical climates. A project to introduce culture-based fisheries to Cambodia is described. Participating communities reported improved catch per unit effort, an increase in the number of people engaged in fishing and lower food costs.