This is the report of the project Application of PCR for improved shrimp health management in the Asian region. The training programme included two training workshops that were designed to provide a good understanding of PCR methodology, laboratory practices and trouble shooting in detection of both DNA and RNA viruses. The workshops were followed by by two rounds of an anonymous PCR inter-calibration or ring testing exercise to allow laboratories to gauge their own performance.

These standard operating procedures were developed to reduce the risk of spread of trans-boundary disease of aquatic animals through the movement of live food fish. The procedures are a set of documents for health certification and quarantine measures to be used by competent authorities in trade among ASEAN member countries. The procedures recognise the existing variation in capacity between ASEAN members and have been designed so that they can be implemented across varying policy and legal frameworks.

This report, the 37th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of fourteen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses emerging diseases in the region.

In this issue:

Buffaloes in favour of culture-based fisheries in Sri Lanka. Aquafeeds in Myanmar: A change from farm-made to factory-made feeds. Challenging myths about seed quality and potential benfits to the rural poor. Catfish Clarius batrachus production using low cost hatcheries. Cage fish culture and livelihoods in the mid-hill lakes of Pokhara, Nepal. Marine fish hatchery training. Rabbitfish Siganus guttatus breeding and larval rearing. Vietnamese extension manual on culture-based fisheries.

In this issue:

18th NACA Governing Council held in Bali, Indonesia. Strengthening aquatic animal health capacity and biosecurity in ASEAN - final workshop. Aquatic animal pathology master class. Vietnamese extension manual on culture-based fisheries. New project: Culture-based fisheries development in Lao PDR. Guidelines on digital publishing: a practical approach for small organizations with limited resources. Workshop on understanding and applying risk analysis in aquaculture. GISFish: Remote sensing and mapping for aquaculture and inland fisheries. Online encyclopeadia to list 1.8 m known species. DELTA 2007. NACA/FAO partnership working to establish guidelines for certification of farmed fish. Asia-Pacific Aquaculture 2007, 5-8 August 2007, Vietnam. Skretting sponsorship & scholarships for the Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network. The eleventh regular session on genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA) took several steps to regularise collectors of Penaeus monodon under the restructuring programme of the shrimp aquaculture industry in Sri Lanka. Regularisation of broodstock collectors is very imperative mitigate transmission of white spot disease. NAQDA developed these practices in consultation with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, shrimp hatchery owners, broodstock suppliers, NARA, Wayamba environmental authority, Sri Lanka aquaculture development alliance and the consortium for shrimp aquaculture development.

A technical mission to Myanmar was undertaken to support development and implementation of national aquatic animal health strategies from 3 - 9 September 2006. The mission was part of the AADCP-RPS project "Strengthening Aquatic Animal Health Capacity and Biosecurity in ASEAN". The mission was coordinated by NACA and worked with stakeholders to develop simple and practical approaches to implement national aquatic animal health strategies in Myanmar.

This is the report of a technical mission to Vietnam from 3 - 9 December 2006, as a part of the project “Strengthening Aquatic Animal Health Capacity and Biosecurity in ASEAN” to assist national authorities in the development and implementation of simple and practical national aquatic animal health management strategies. The objective of the mission was to assist the government to support development of national strategies on aquatic animal health management and develop short and long term plans.

This report, the 36th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of fifteen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses recent activities in support of aquatic animal health in the region.

This report, the 35th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of fifteen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses mechanisms for recognition of emerging diseases in the Asia-Pacific region.

In this issue:

Cage aquaculture of tilapia in Lake Taal, Philippines. Development and adoption of BMPs by farmer groups. Lotus - an aquatic plant of versatile qualities. Integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems in Bangladesh: Potential for sustainable livelihoods and nutrititional security of the rural poor. Spreadsheet model of the market chain for the live reef food fish trade. Regional Grouper Hatchery Production Training Course. Replacing marine fish oil in aquafeeds with tropical palm oil products. NACA Newsletter.

In this issue:

Expert Workshop on Guidelines for Aquaculture Certification. Responsible movement of live food finfish within ASEAN: Cebu Workshop finalises the standard operating procedures. Information and capacity requirements for maintaining aquatic animal biosecurity identified. China-ASEAN efforts to minimise risk of spread of aquatic pathogens. National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture inaugurated. NACA Better Management Practices program expands in Indonesia. Manual on Application of Molecular Tools in Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Management. Research Needs to Sustain Asia-Pacific Aquaculture to 2025 and Beyond. Endemic freshwater finfish of Asia: Distribution and conservation status.

In this issue:

Iranian officers train in advanced marine shrimp farming and meet Iraqi delegation at NACA. Green award recognises NACA work on sustainable shrimp farming. International Principles for Responsible Shrimp Farming now available in Spanish. Building capacity on aquatic animal epidemiology in I.R. Iran. NACA Fisheries Team meets with new Governor of Aceh. Aquaculture Certification: Programme to implement the COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture recommendation. Recent Developments in the Aquaculture Feed Industry. Global Advances in the Ecology and Management of Golden Apple Snails. NACA mission to Myanmar. Workshop on Insurance in Aquaculture to be held in Bali, May 2007. Catfish 2007 Vietnam. Tilapia 2007 Kuala Lumpur.

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 2006, 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.

L'élevage de la crevette est l’un des secteurs d'aquaculture le plus en essor dans beaucoup de régions du monde, il est également l’un des plus controversés. L'expansion rapide de ce secteur a généré, certes, des sources de revenus pour plusieurs pays, mais elle a été accompagnée par une préoccupation croissante sur les impacts environnemental et social. Les Principes Internationaux pour l'Elevage Responsable de la Crevette fournissent la base sur laquelle les parties prenantes peuvent collaborer pour un développement plus durable de l'élevage de crevette.

在世界许多地方，虾类养殖是水产养殖业增长最快，而且也是最具争 议的部门之一。这一部门的快速发展为许多国家创造了收入，但也伴随着 对环境和社会影响的忧虑。《负责任虾类养殖国际准则》在以更可持续的 方式发展虾类养殖方面为利益相关者之间开展合作提供了基础。《国际准 则》由虾类养殖与环境协作计划制定。该协作包括联合国粮食及农业组织 （粮农组织）、亚太水产养殖中心网、联合国环境规划署保护海洋环境免 受陆上活动污染全球行动纲领协调办公室、世界银行和世界自然基金会。

The use of alien species is a proven means to increase production and value from aquatic ecosystems. However, alien species are now recognised as one of the most significant threats to aquatic biodiversity. There are a range of international mechanisms that have been established to assist countries in meeting international obligations and responsibilities. Implementation is often difficult due to lack of awareness and problems with enforcement. Regional coordination of policies is needed for effective national management.

O Cultivo de Camarão é um dos setores de mais rápido crescimento na aqüicultura em várias partes do mundo e também o mais controverso. A rápida expansão deste setor possibilitou a geração de renda para muitos países, entretanto, ela tem sido acompanhada por crescentes preocupações sobre seus impactos ambientais e sociais. Os Princípios Internacionais para a Carcinicultura Responsável provêm a base sobre a qual todas as partes interessadas poderão colaborar para um desenvolvimento mais sustentável do cultivo de camarão.

El cultivo de camarón es uno de los sectores de la acuicultura de más rápido crecimiento y también uno de los más polémicos en muchas partes del mundo. La rápida expansión de este sector generó ingresos para muchos países, pero ha estado acompañada por preocupaciones crecientes relacionadas con sus impactos ambientales y sociales. Los Principios Internacionales para el Cultivo Responsable de Camarón proporcionan las bases sobre las cuales los diversos participantes pueden colaborar en pro de un desarrollo más sostenible de la camaronicultura.

Shrimp Health Management brochures provide better management practices in a reader friendly format. These brochures were prepared as extension materials through the village based demonstration programme by the Marine Products Export Development Authority of India and NACA. The programme continues building success and involved a total of 29 villages and 29 Aquaclubs in five Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Orissa, Gujarat, and Karnataka) in 2006.