As a follow on from the September FAO/NACA workshop on aquaculture transformation, FAO and NACA convened a high-level meeting to discuss the issue and the outcome of the previous consultation with policy makers. The meeting was held virtually from 22-23 November and was attended by 79 senior officials from 25 countries and international organisations, with observers from industry and international NGOs. Specific objectives of the high-level meeting were to: Engage senior policy makers and business leaders in the process of defining regional targets, action areas and initiatives for aquaculture transformation in the region by 2030, identify strategies and mechanisms to stimulate innovation and investment, and to recommend follow up actions and commitments.

The GCA +20 was successfully held as a hybrid event from 22-25 September, with physical participation at the venue in Shanghai, China, and international participation via video conference. A total of 1,728 people participated in the event, of which 500 were physically present in Shanghai. A key output from the GCA +20, the Shanghai Declaration is a call to action that highlights the principles and strategic pathways to maximise the contribution of sustainable aquaculture in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on “Leaving no one behind”.

Join us on 8 October 2021 for the Professor Sena De Silva Memorial Oration. The topic for the oration is "Aquaculture and marine resources exploitation: reframing the issues", presented by Professor Govanni Turchini of Deakin University and organised by the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The oration will be held at 05:00 GMT (15:00 AEST) via Zoom. To participate, please use the following link: Professor Sena De Silva Memorial Oration 2021.

In this issue:

Vale Professor Sena De Silva; the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020; Viral covert mortality disease (VCMD): Disease card; Disease advisory: Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1): An emerging threat to the shrimp industry; Infection with decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1): Disease card; Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on Underutilized Fish and Marine Genetic Resources and their Amelioration; Latest special issue of Gender, Technology & Development examines new learnings on women and fisheries; Development of a global information system for farmed types of aquatic genetic resources; Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report, October-December 2019.

The 35th Session of Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission has identified the lack of effective governance as a major threat to sustainable aquaculture growth for greater contribution to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The objectives of the consultation were to: Share the results of country studies on aquaculture governance in respective countries; identify gaps, issues and challenges in aquaculture governance; and recommend strategies and actions to improve and strengthen aquaculture governance.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

The ASEAN Regional Technical Consultation on Aquatic Emergency Preparedness and Response Systems for Effective Management of Transboundary Disease Outbreaks in Southeast Asia was held from 20-22 August 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. The consultation discussed the status of and/or need for aquatic emergency preparedness and response systems for effective management of transboundary disease outbreaks in Southeast Asia. Issues were addressed through country reports, technical presentations and a workshop.

In this issue:

30th NACA Governing Council Meeting, China; Dr Huang Jie elected as the next Director General of NACA; Expert Consultation on Genetically Responsible Aquaculture; Launch of AGRISI: Aquatic Genetic Resource System of India; Aquatic animal epidemiology training course held at NBFGR; Asia-Pacific Laboratory Proficiency Testing Workshop; Proceedings of the FishAdapt Conference; Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report, July-September 2018; Centex Shrimp International Training Course on Biology and Pathology of Penaeid Shrimp; INFOFISH World Shrimp Trade Conference and Exposition.

NACA welcomes Dr Huang Jie as the incoming Director General of NACA. He will serve a five year term beginning in May 2019. Dr Huang succeeds Dr Cherdsak Virapat, who will complete his own five-year term in April. Dr Huang was elected at the 30th Governing Council Meeting held 26-27 March in Guangzhou, China. Dr Huang, a Chinese national, obtained his BSc on virology in Wuhan University in 1987, an MSc in the Wuhan Virology Institute, Chinese Academy of Science in 1990, and his PhD on marine biology in the Ocean Institute in 2010.

The 30th Governing Council was held in Guangzhou, China, 26-27 March. 74 participants attended the Governing Council Meeting representing fifteen member governments, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attending as an observer. The host Government, China, was elected as Chair of the 30th Governing Council. Hong Kong SAR was elected as Vice Chair. Key outcomes included the election of Dr Huang Jie as the next Director General of NACA, and preparations for the Global Conference on Aquaculture 2020.

In this issue:

Current status of freshwater cage aquaculture in India; Fattening of mud crab Scylla serrata in estuarine region of south-eastern West Bengal; Aquaponics - sustainable farming method in the fight against hunger; aquatic invasive apple snails (Pomacea spp.) in Timore-Leste - current status, spread and management in rice fields; NACA Newsletter.

In this issue:

Joint FAO-NACA workshop reviews aquaculture farming system classification scheme; Join us for the Global Conference on Aquaculture 2020; Expert Consultation on Genetically Responsible Aquaculture; Strengthening governance in aquaculture; Pike perch and in-pond raceways; Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report, April-June 2018.

Asia has experienced rapid development of aquaculture in the past four decades. This has improved food security, livelihoods and economic development in many Asian countries. It has also become the main source of fish products in the region. Yet aquaculture as a new industry is poorly regulated in many countries. Its development has come with environmental problems, animal disease and food safety issues. These have resulted from both inadequate laws and poor enforcement.