In this issue:

• Integrating fish farming with ducks and poultry in Meghalaya
• Small indigenous fish species: A source of nutritional security
• A short note on two new instances of aquaculture species and system diversification in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
• Adding knowledge to the seed production process of giant featherback in captivity
• Local knowledge and practices in Asian seabass nursery to grow-out culture in Andhra Pradesh
• NACA Newsletter

Asian seabass has emerged as a promising alternative to shrimp farming in coastal Andhra Pradesh. This article documents the complete production cycle practiced by farmers in Krishna, Eluru and West Godavari districts, from wild egg collection to market-ready fish.

The production process spans 14-16 months across multiple phases: two nursery stages transform eggs into fingerlings, a pre-grow-out phase develops juveniles to 100-200 g, and a final grow-out period produces fish weighing 3-4 kg. Farmers rely heavily on live feed, primarily small shrimp and tilapia, with feed conversion ratios around 6:1.

While the species offers advantages such as fast growth and salinity tolerance, farmers face challenges including fluctuating export prices, rising feed costs and disease outbreaks. The lack of species-specific therapeutics further complicates disease management. Most harvested seabass currently reaches export markets through Kolkata and Chennai, though opportunities exist for domestic value-added products.

The giant featherback (Notopterus chitala) - valued as food, sport fish, and natural pest controller in carp ponds - remains under-utilised in Asian aquaculture despite strong market demand. Limited knowledge of seed production has constrained commercial development, whilst wild populations face pressures from overfishing and habitat loss.

Researchers at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture have compiled practical knowledge on captive breeding and larval rearing of this air-breathing species. Their findings address key challenges: establishing brood stock, triggering natural spawning using hard substrata, managing sensitive larvae through the critical first weeks, and preventing disease transmission from live feeds.

The techniques described offer farmers a pathway to reliable seed production, potentially easing supply constraints whilst reducing pressure on wild stocks. The work demonstrates how systematic documentation of breeding protocols can unlock aquaculture potential for neglected native species with conservation value.

In Purba Medinipur, India's leading fisheries district, two farmers are exploring new directions in aquaculture. Sri Buddhadeb Maity has established commercial farming of the prized murrel (Channa striatus), achieving growth rates of 250-300g within two months. His neighbour, Sri Uttam Manna, has taken an unconventional approach: cultivating freshwater aquarium fish in brackishwater ponds near the Bay of Bengal.

Manna's method challenges established practice. He has observed fewer disease problems than those typically encountered in freshwater aquarium fish operations, potentially due to the salt content in his ponds helping to control pathogens. Both farmers have developed profitable enterprises whilst sharing their methods with neighbouring producers, encouraging diversification across the region.

Reports received in 2025, as of the 2nd quarter, only came from few member governments including: Australia, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Saudi Arabia. Listed below are the reported aquatic animal diseases covering the first and second quarters of 2025.  The original and updated reports can be accessed at the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease report page.

Small indigenous fish species (SIS) are common in South and Southeast Asian inland waters and are often eaten whole. This article reviews evidence that SIS provide bioavailable vitamin A, iron, zinc, calcium and B12, alongside protein and long-chain omega-3s. It examines practical options for including SIS in carp ponds and rice-fish systems, drawing on recent field programmes, and identifies constraints, especially the seasonal, unreliable supply of seed from capture fisheries. The article considers which species are realistic candidates for hatchery production and what husbandry is required. The aim is to give producers, extension staff and policymakers a clear view of when SIS integration adds value, and what investments are needed to pilot and scale it responsibly.

How can small farms boost fish yields, cut feed bills and earn from more than one crop at a time? In Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district, one farmer shows the way with an integrated fish-duck-poultry system across four linked ponds. Ducks and poultry “pay their rent” by fertilising the water, which powers natural food webs for carp and rohu; simple gravity flow spreads nutrients and improves aeration. Over an eight-month cycle, the farm sells fish, ducks, poultry, eggs and even dyke crops like banana and turmeric - while keeping inputs low and water quality stable. This practical case study explains the layout, stocking plan and daily management behind the results, and why integrated aquaculture is a smart, climate-resilient option for small holders.

Elisa Claire Sy of E-Primate presents RAS-P.I.N.A.S, a closed-loop, water-efficient system for land-based fish farming. The technology integrates biofiltration, aeration, and mechanical treatment to support high-density production while conserving water and land and reducing disease risk. RAS-P.I.N.A.S also offers flexibility in farm siting, with trade-offs in energy use and infrastructure costs. Recirculating aquaculture systems are gaining traction as a key innovation in Asia’s sustainable aquaculture future.

Green Controller by ICM Electronics is a smart water quality monitoring system for aquaculture, powered by high-precision titanium sensors. It tracks dissolved oxygen, salinity, and pH in real time, with full control through a mobile app and instant anomaly alerts. The system enables automated aeration based on live data, reducing energy use, lowering aerator run time, and improving feed conversion efficiency for more sustainable aquaculture operations. This pitch was presented Sukmit Teekhasenee of ICM Electronics.

Farm Suite by Greenovator is a digital farm management tool tailored for aquaculture in Myanmar. The platform helps farms and agribusinesses streamline planning and daily operations by tracking activities, inputs, and yields through a real-time, business-grade dashboard. Recognised as a top-3 innovation in the Grow Asia Challenge, Farm Suite provides an affordable, professional alternative to manual record-keeping. With its mobile app interface, it delivers actionable insights that empower aquaculture managers to boost productivity and sustainability. This pitch was presented by Yin Yin Phyu.

This presentation by Elisa Claire Sy of E-Primate, showcases how RAS-P.I.N.A.S - a closed-loop, water-efficient technology - enables high-density, land-based fish farming using biofiltration, aeration, and mechanical treatment strategies. Discover how RAS conserves water and land, minimises disease risk, and offers flexibility in farm siting, while recognising the trade-offs of energy demands and infrastructure costs. Learn why RAS is gaining momentum as a key innovation in Asia's sustainable aquaculture future.

This video by Montakan Tamtin, Department of Fisheries, features two presentations from Thailand’s delegation to the 3rd High-Level Meeting on Aquaculture Transformation in Asia and the Pacific Region. The first showcases innovation and nature-based solutions in aquaculture via the IDRC-funded AQUADAPT Project; the second presents Thailand’s pilot initiative for low-carbon shrimp farming under an FAO Technical Cooperation Programme.

This video by Chokanan Prompichai, NACA, presents two promising innovations aimed at reducing antimicrobial use (AMU) in aquaculture, showcased as part of Thailand’s National Innovation and Investment Plan (NIIP) and via the IDRC-funded InnoVet-AMR 2.0 Project. NanoVac, developed by AIT, uses nanobubbles to deliver vaccines to tilapia, while ShrimpGuard, developed by BIOTEC and KU, is a bacteriophage-based solution for managing shrimp diseases. Both technologies offer potential to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) without leaving chemical residues. The presentation compares their readiness, challenges, and adoption, incorporating feedback from shrimp farmers across Thailand. It highlights the need for cost-effective, easy-to-use solutions that align with farmers' real-world needs and regulatory frameworks.

In this issue:

• From risk to resilience: Innovative crop insurance solutions for securing shrimp aquaculture in India
• Efforts to rejuvenate primary fisher cooperative societies in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal
• Captive production of Gangetic mystus (Mystus cavasius): A guide for farmers
• Shrimp farm biosecurity in Saudi Arabia: A journey from past practices to future vision
• Wolffia globosa (duckweed) in aquafeeds for profitability and eco-friendly sustainable aquaculture
• NACA Newsletter

The Gangetic mystus (Mystus cavasius) is a small indigenous freshwater catfish valued for its taste and nutritional qualities, with high market demand across South Asia. This article offers a practical guide for farmers on the captive breeding and production of M. cavasius, encompassing key stages from broodstock management to grow-out culture. Captive production methods are critical for ensuring seed availability and enhancing the commercial viability of this species. The article outlines protocols for brood selection, hormone-induced breeding, egg fertilisation, larval rearing, and fingerling development, with emphasis on water quality, feed regimes, and optimal stocking densities.

Special attention is given to improving larval survival through early indoor rearing, proper husbandry, and the use of live and formulated feeds. The slow-growing nature of M. cavasius necessitates low-density stocking and extended grow-out periods, typically yielding less than 1 tonne/ha/year. Despite the modest productivity, the species commands strong regional demand at 30–40 g market size. The guide also addresses common health issues and preventive practices, stressing the importance of water quality and early disease intervention.

This article examines recent initiatives to rejuvenate primary Fisher Cooperative Societies (FCSs) in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal, highlighting their critical role in advancing sustainable fisheries, rural livelihoods, and social protection. It outlines the structural, administrative, and policy frameworks that support FCS operations, particularly the government’s lease-based allocation of large freshwater bodies to cooperatives. The article also reviews the election procedures conducted under the West Bengal Cooperative Societies Act to reconstitute governance in 43 active societies, ensuring compliance and eligibility for state support.

Through detailed case data and programme reports, the article documents the outcomes of targeted schemes such as input distribution for sewage-fed and large-scale fish culture, equipment provisioning, pension benefits, and capacity-building training. It emphasises the cooperative model's effectiveness in managing natural resources, strengthening community self-governance, and enhancing productivity. With a focus on practical reforms and institutional accountability, the South 24 Parganas experience offers insights into scaling cooperative-led fisheries development in similar socio-ecological contexts.

With the implementation of new aquatic animal disease reporting arrangements from January 2021 NACA is publishing reported aquatic animal diseases submitted by countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This report covers the fourth quarter of 2024 and the original and updated reports can be accessed from the QAAD page.

The project evaluated the effectiveness of various types of nature-based solution (NbS) in Fiji that contribute to climate change resilience by enabling off-grid farm operations and reducing reliance on costly fossil fuels. Aquaculture enterprises were assessed for this project based on the NbS they utilised and the potential benefits they offer in mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing production systems in Fiji. Four enterprises were selected, and their descriptions are provided within.

The project evaluated the effectiveness of various types of nature-based solution (NbS) in Thailand that contribute to climate change resilience by enabling off-grid farm operations and reducing reliance on costly fossil fuels. Aquaculture enterprises were assessed for this project based on the NbS they utilised and the potential benefits they offer in mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing production systems in Thailand. Three enterprises / innovations were selected and are described within.

The project conducted a preliminary survey of the effectiveness of various types of nature-based solution (NbS) in use in the Philippines that contribute to climate change resilience by enabling off-grid farm operations and reducing reliance on costly fossil fuels, renewable materials and improved designs that enhance efficiency. Aquaculture enterprises were assessed for this project based on the NbS they utilised and the potential benefits they offer in mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing production systems.

Based on BFAR Regional Field Office Submissions, 50 aquaculture innovations nationwide have been identified to date. The list will be extended and screened as further regions report, in cooperation with the BFAR National Research Centers.