The Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010 reviewed the present status and trends in aquaculture development, addressed emerging issues relevant to aquaculture development, assessed opportunities and challenges for future aquaculture development and built consensus on advancing aquaculture as a global, sustainable and competitive food production sector. This volume provides information on how aquaculture could be mobilized to alleviate global poverty and improve food and nutrition security in the coming decades.

The Asia Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health meets annually to discuss regional health issues including emerging disease threats. This report includes a review of regional disease status circa 2011, global and regional disease reporting arrangements, global issues and standards, progress in implementation of the the Regional Technical Guidelines on Health management for the Responsible Movement of Live Aquatic Animals, identification and designation of regional aquatic animal health resources and regional and international cooperation.

In this issue:

Visit to the AwF funded small-scale aquaculture project in Nepal. Success story of the Barakhandapat Ornamental Fish Breeding Unit, India. From Kyoto 1976 to Bangkok 2000 and Phuket 2010: Aquaculture development and personal transitions. Embryonic and larval development of Waigieu seaperch Psammoperca waigiensis. Culture feasibility of freshwater mullet Rhinomugil corsula in ponds in India. Management in seed production of an endangered catfish Horabagrus brachysoma during its hatchery phase.

The Colombo Declaration is a commitment to regional cooperation in aquaculture development for food security, nutrition and economic development in Asia. It was developed and agreed on by delegations from 18 states at a ministerial-level meeting held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 28-29 July 2011.

This is the report of a training programme on better management practices (BMPs) for catfish aquaculture and cluster-based management, which was held at the Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Can Tho University, Vietnam, 7-8 June 2011. The purpose of the training programme was to build capacity and awareness of selected cluster leaders, lead farmers and provincial extension officers on catfish BMPs, implementation of BMPs, group formation and operation.

Professor E.G. Silas presents a special address to the NACA Governing Council.

Sena De Silva presents NACA's achievements from 2006-2011.

The purpose of the workshop, held in Can Tho Vietnam on 16 April 2011, was to build capacity and awareness of prospective cluster farmers and their leaders on the adoption of better management practices through cluster based management. The workshop shared experiences in cluster formation from other Asian countries and developed a join work programme for implementation of the project.

The Asia Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health meets annually to discuss regional health issues including emerging disease threats. This report includes a review of regional disease status circa 2010, global and regional disease reporting arrangements, global issues and standards, progress in implementation of the the Regional Technical Guidelines on Health management for the Responsible Movement of Live Aquatic Animals, identification and designation of regional aquatic animal health resources and regional and international cooperation.

Sustainability of the sector implies technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental integrity and social licence. A sustainable aquaculture sector will benefit every member of society because of its associated invaluable environmental and social amenities. This review examines countries’ recent experiences and the role that aquaculture has played in improving socio-economic growth and development, and to discuss how governance instruments and effective partnership amongst stakeholders can lead to enhanced aquaculture’s net benefits to society.