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

In this issue:

• Some practices and techniques in cost-effective small and medium-scale aquaculture in West Bengal
• Food and feeding habits of some peninsular carps
• Inland saline aquaculture: Prospects and challenges
• A success story of freshwater prawn farming as an alternative livelihood for self-help and user groups in Mayurbanja District, Odisha, India
• NACA Newsletter

Carps are a vital component of global freshwater fish production, particularly in India, where both Indian major carps and indigenous species contribute to aquaculture. This study reviews the food and feeding habits of select peninsular carps, highlighting their potential for aquaculture diversification and biodiversity conservation. Indigenous species such as Hypselobarbus pulchellus, Barbodes carnaticus, Labeo fimbriatus, Labeo kontius, and Tor khudree demonstrate adaptability to natural productivity, reducing reliance on artificial feeds. Gut content analyses reveal dietary patterns ranging from herbivory to omnivory, with species consuming vascular plants, algae, molluscs, and insects. Feeding behavior varies across life stages, with juveniles relying on zooplankton and diatoms, while adults shift to macrophytes and benthic organisms. Integrating these species into polyculture systems could enhance aquaculture efficiency and support conservation efforts for threatened endemic fish.

Small and medium-scale aquaculture in West Bengal has evolved to incorporate cost-effective, sustainable practices that reduce input costs while maintaining productivity. This article explores various low-cost aquaculture techniques used by rural fish farmers, emphasising farm-made feed formulations, pond fertilisation methods, and integrated farming systems. Farmers utilise non-conventional feed additives to enhance fish health and growth while reducing reliance on expensive commercial products. Fermented feed supplements and probiotic formulations have been successfully implemented to improve water quality and plankton production. Integrated fish farming, incorporating compost manure, vermicomposting, and polyculture with species like giant freshwater prawn, has increased productivity and economic returns.

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

The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) will be held from 12-15 February 2025 in New Delhi, India. Submission of abstracts has been extended until 5 November, and early bird registration closes on 10 November, so get in quick!

The forum is a scientific meeting organised by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) once every three years to understand the global trends and address issues and challenges faced by the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The main purpose of this Forum is to provide an international platform for eminent scientists, young researchers, and other stakeholders across the globe to share their research experiences and innovative ideas. By facilitating the exchange of diverse range of knowledge and expertise, the Forum with the Theme ‘Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific’ aims to address key issues towards developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

With the implementation of the new aquatic animal disease reporting in the Asia Pacific region from January 2021, and in lieu of the published QAAD Reports (last issue published was 4^th quarter of 2020), NACA is publishing reported aquatic animal diseases submitted by countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This report covers the first quarter of 2024 and the original and updated reports can be accessed from the QAAD page.

In this issue:

• Progressive women carp farmers of Haldia, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India.
• Captive breeding of Ompok bimaculatus (pabda): An indigenous catfish of North East India.
• Reaching out to the unreached through diversified aquaculture in Nagaland.
• Fish cooperatives: Development and performance through sustainable development goals for food and feed ecosystems.
• NACA Newsletter.

The objective of this study was to examine the inception and development of various schemes for fishery cooperatives during the NITI Aayog period (2015-2023) in India. The study aims to investigate the capacity building requirements of fisher cooperative societies and the challenges faced by fishery cooperatives in India. By conducting training needs assessments, enhancing capacity, strengthening businesses, and leveraging government schemes, the study seeks to advance the long-term objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related to poverty reduction, food security, equality, and institutional development. This initiative will bolster a resilient framework for food security and protein enrichment aligned with SDG targets, thereby fostering stakeholder prosperity within the fish cooperative ecosystem and addressing policy imperatives for sustainable development.

Nagaland is one of the eight sister states in northeast India. It is a mountainous region, home to diverse indigenous tribes with distinct cultures. With a population of 2.28 million, the total potential area for aquaculture is estimated to be around 30,000 hectares, but around 90% of this area remains untapped. The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) has made significant efforts to establish aquaculture as a viable livelihood option for the people of Nagaland through programmes on i) paddy and amur carp farming, and ii) promotion of ornamental fish farming among school children. This article describes efforts to implement a project on amur carp farming as a diversified aquaculture practice under the Northeast Program. Further efforts to initiate aquarium-based farming of ornamental fish species through a capacity building programme and distribution of aquariums and ornamental fish species to high schools are also described.

Ompok bimaculatus, locally known as pabda catfish, is widely distributed in the natural water resources of Assam and other northeastern states of India. It is a preferred indigenous non-airbreathing catfish with high market demand compared to Indian major carps and exotic carps. Due to habitat modification and over exploitation, pabda has been assessed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This article describes the development of captive breeding protocols for pabda at the Pabhoi Fish Farm, including broodstock management, captive breeding, and larval rearing. Fecundity ranged from 20,000-22,000 eggs per 100 g body weight. Spawning was induced with Ovatide and eggs transferred to a flow-through system for hatching. Larvae began exogenous feeding after two days.

In India's north-eastern states and West Bengal, women's participation in aquaculture is around 55%. They are involved in pond fertilisation, nursery fish seed rearing, fish feeding, and harvesting. In Purba Medinipur, women practice family-based freshwater aquaculture in backyard ponds. This helps improve the health of rural households and supports their lives and livelihoods. Experts from ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Odisha, believe that improving rural women's access to credit and developing women-friendly aquaculture technologies can help. Involving women trainers and extension workers, and organising women aquaculture clubs, can also enhance technology transfer. This article describes the role of women in aquaculture in Haldia, Purba Medinipur, and the practices and business development of some leading women fish farmers.

Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is sponsoring the project "Knowledge Brokering for Nature-Based Solutions in Aquaculture Transformation in Asia-Pacific: Support to the Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub." The project is part of a wider IDRC AQUADAPT initiative, a four-year partnership running from 2023-2027. AQUADAPT addresses the intertwined challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity through applied research on nature-based solutions in aquaculture in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. AQUADAPT emphasises Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), ensuring that nature-based solutions are inclusive of all genders and marginalised groups. The project's inception workshop was held in Bangkok from July 4-5, bringing together project teams from Thailand, The Philippines, and Fiji to discuss approaches and methodologies. 

In this issue:

• NACA and Thailand's Department of Fisheries Strengthen Collaboration.
• Full-degree scholarships and research internship grants from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.
• Manual on Artemia production and use.
• The Grass Carp Aquaculture Manual.
• Pacific oyster farming: A practical manual.
• The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024: Blue Transformation in action.
• Safeguarding salt lake brine shrimp (Artemia) resources for aquaculture: A training project.
• Reported Aquatic Animal Diseases in the Asia-Pacific Region during the Fourth Quarter of 2023.
• First International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium Conference, 9 September (hybrid event).

In this issue:

• Scientific aquaculture to promote better livelihoods for Scheduled Caste farmers.
• Rainbow trout in Jammu and Kashmir: Present status and strategies for expansion.
• Community participation in marine ornamental aquaculture: An integral approach on livelihood empowerment of islander women and conservation of reef ecosystems at the Lakshadweep Islands, India.
• Training programmes organised by West Bengal Fisheries Department in South 24 Parganas in the beginning of 2024.
• Exploring the possibility of captive production of a near threatened catfish, Rita chrysea for Indian aquaculture.
• NACA Newsletter.

Rita chrysea, a member of the Bagridae family, is a medium-sized freshwater catfish predominantly inhabiting the Mahanadi River system, coursing through the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha in India. It has been classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Researchers at ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, have achieved successful breeding and rearing of R. chrysea in an intiative that aims to to popularise the species through training programs for farmers. This article describes methodologies to induce spawning and rear the larvae of R. chrysea and its performance in captivity, potentially paving the way for its adoption as a mainstream aquaculture species. Furthermore, the insights provided in this article may contribute to ensuring the captive breeding and rearing of two other species, R. pavimentata and R. rita, in the future. These species, belonging to the same genus, dominate Indian river systems.

Fisheries and aquaculture are crucial sources and contributors of nutrient-rich food, income, and livelihoods for many people in West Bengal and across India, creating valuable rural employment opportunities and fostering integrated rural development. Efforts are being made by the Fisheries Department to disseminate scientific knowledge about improved techniques of fish culture to fish farmers (progressive farmers, small and marginal farmers) by imparting hands-on training to them. The aim is to increase fish production through various means like bringing more water bodies under scientific fish culture and ensuring access to nutritionally balanced fish feed and high-quality fry and fingerling-stage fish for fish farmers. Training serves as an important mechanism for the transfer of technology and improving human skills regarding the developmental process This article describes recent short-term training programmes by the West Bengal Department of Fisheries for fish farmers that were  organised in almost all districts of the state, including South 24 Parganas. 

Jammu and Kashmir, often referred to as “heaven on Earth,” owes its distinct soil and vegetation to its unique climate. With abundant green forests and high-altitude terrain, it boasts valuable natural resources such as Himalayan glaciers and rivers. Rainbow trout is a promising cultivable fish species in cold water and holds significant potential for expansion. As a high-value commodity with relatively low production volume, trout offers opportunities for both domestic consumption and foreign export. However, the development and scaling of trout farming in the region has not yet been realised on a large scale. This article documents the history of trout fisheries in the region, describes the present status of trout farming infrastructure, and provides strategies to expand the industry. 

The Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture uses funds from the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan project to provide support such as fish seed, feed, lime, and manure to Scheduled Caste farmers. The goal is to enable them to utilise untapped water resources for fish production. This support in aquaculture inputs has resulted in increased fish production, heightened income, the creation of employment opportunities, the development of skilled labourers, and made a significant contribution to the national income. Marginal fish farmers have consistently generated revenue through these efforts. They have also directly provided poor communities with essential nutrients through fish consumption, combating hunger. This article describes the methodology and outcomes of the project Scientists-Farmers Interface and Aquaculture Input Support to SC Farmers of Sonarpur C.D. Block.

This event, held jointly via Zoom or in person at FAO Headquarters in Rome, will bring together leading experts to delve into the topic of fish vaccination and new developments regarding shrimp vaccination as a vital biosecurity strategy. Current knowledge will be reviewed, examining obstacles, and uncovering opportunities for vaccine development. Bridging theory with actionable practice, the seminar aims to foster informed decision-making, discussing the potential of vaccination and addressing associated challenges. Building upon the success of the Tilapia Health webinar held in December 2021 and Tilapia health: quo vadis, this conference will be a continuation of impactful discussions, promising a dynamic and enriching experience for all participants.