5 October 2026 | Sourindam Paul, Suman Kumari and Basanta Kumar Das | .pdf | 5.32 MB
Ornamental fish can sell for up to 100 times the price of food fish, yet farming them needs little land, money or labour. This makes the sector well suited to landless households, small-scale farmers and women in developing countries. In West Bengal, India, families breed species such as Betta splendens in reused glass bottles and raise exotic species in backyard cement cisterns. ICAR-CIFRI research programmes also help Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women run their own farms
This article explores how ornamental fish culture supports the Sustainable Development Goals, from reducing poverty and promoting gender equality to protecting aquatic life. With around 95% of Indian ornamental fish exports still collected from the wild, captive breeding offers a way to ease pressure on wild stocks. The article also looks at water-saving technologies, certification, and the barriers small producers face, including poor market access, weak logistics and climate change.
The Gangetic swamp eel, Ophichtys cuchia, is one of the highest-value indigenous freshwater fish in Northeast India, yet almost all of it still comes from the wild. A 2025 market survey in Manipur recorded it selling at Rs. 800/kg against Rs. 150 to 200/kg for common carp. Wild stocks are falling as wetlands are drained, paddy fields are sprayed with pesticides and capture continues unregulated. This review brings together what is known about the biology, nutrition and culture potential of the species, with particular reference to the eight northeastern states. It covers the eel's air-breathing adaptations and tolerance of low oxygen, its protandrous sex change and the breeding problems this creates, nutritional composition, and pond and rice-field trials from Bangladesh reporting yields up to 2,506 kg/ha. Seed supply remains the main obstacle, as no hatchery network produces fingerlings in India.
23 January 2026 | Simon Wilkinson | 939 Downloads | .pdf | 2.59 MB
Medicinal leeches represent a niche but valuable aquaculture opportunity in China. A commercial farm in Anhui Province produces 36 tonnes annually of Whitmania pigra, a predatory leech species used in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical products. The dried leeches command prices around US$100 per kilogram. Unlike blood-feeding leeches, this species feeds naturally on aquatic snails throughout its life cycle, simplifying feed management. The farm rears leeches in large above-ground tanks holding up to 10,000 individuals each, with adults reaching 50 g in weight. The operation produces its own seed, with each adult producing around 90 eggs across three cocoons. This brief farm report provides insight into the production system for this unusual but commercially viable aquaculture species.
22 January 2026 | Babita Mandal, Dani Thomas, Raymond J. Angel, Sandeep K.P., Sagar Bag, M. Kailasam, Debasis De, Kuldeep K. Lal | 837 Downloads | .pdf | 5.56 MB
Small-scale farmers in the Indian Sundarbans are transforming their livelihoods through brackishwater ornamental fish farming. The region's estuaries and mangrove forests provide natural habitat for commercially valuable species like spotted scat, green puffer, pearlspot, and orange chromide. With training from ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture's Kakdwip Research Centre, local entrepreneurs have developed successful hatchery and grow-out operations.
Three farmers from Kakdwip Block demonstrate the sector's potential. Mr Tapan Maity produces 1,000-3,000 fingerlings monthly from his integrated facility. Mr Mahendra Dului operates a 32-tank hatchery using cost-effective farm-made feeds. Mr Aurobindo Haldar cleared his debts within three years of starting pearlspot production. These farmers combine scientific broodstock management with local knowledge to rear juveniles for urban pet markets in Kolkata and Howrah. The expanding domestic and export demand for brackishwater ornamental species offers sustainable income opportunities for coastal communities facing challenges from climate vulnerability and limited livelihood options.
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.
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.
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.
16 March 2025 | Arabinda Das, R.N. Mandal, S. Adhikari, D.N. Chattopadhyay, F. Hoque, A. Hussan, S. Sarkar, B.N. Paul, and P.K. Sahoo | 1918 Downloads | .pdf | 4 MB
Small indigenous fish species (SIS) are a rich source of essential nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making them a vital component of rural diets. Despite their nutritional significance, SIS are often undervalued and excluded from aquaculture in favor of larger commercial species.
This study highlights an initiative by ICAR-CIFA in Tripura to promote and protect small fish species through sustainable farming practices. Training programs were conducted to educate local farmers on breeding, feeding, and rearing techniques tailored to SIS. Live food production was emphasised to improve larval survival rates, and mixed-species culture strategies were developed to enhance production efficiency. The initiative demonstrated that small fish farming is a viable livelihood option, particularly in backyard water bodies, providing food security, income generation, and biodiversity conservation.
15 March 2025 | Chandan Debnath, S. Gojendro Singh and Bankitkupar Mukhim | 2114 Downloads | .pdf | 3.93 MB
Northeast India faces significant nutrition security challenges, particularly in rural and tribal areas, where high stunting and anemia rates persist despite high per capita caloric intake. This article explores sustainable freshwater snail farming as a viable solution to address these nutritional deficiencies while enhancing rural livelihoods.
Freshwater snails, such as Pila globosa, Bellamya bengalensis, and Brotia costula, offer high protein content and essential minerals, particularly calcium and iron. Their nutritional value surpasses many plant-based protein sources and compares well with traditional livestock products. The study outlines three practical snail farming systems suited to different farming conditions. Economic analysis reveals that a small-scale backyard system can generate up to 1,800 kg of snails annually, yielding a 272% return on investment within five months. With proper training, infrastructure, and market linkages, freshwater snail farming can play a useful role in improving food security, economic resilience, and rural development in Northeast India.
15 March 2025 | S.K. Sahoo, S.N. Sahoo and S.S. Giri | 1509 Downloads | .pdf | 2.35 MB
Indian aquaculture has expanded beyond major carps to include diverse species such as catfish, driven by high consumer demand for their taste, soft flesh, and live marketability. However, the sector faces a major challenge: the lack of captive seed production. Relying on wild seed collection is unsustainable, necessitating the development of controlled breeding techniques. This article provides an overview of induced breeding and seed production methods for key catfish species, including Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Wallago attu, Ompok spp., Mystus cavasius, Rita chrysea, Horabagrus brachysoma, and Pangasius pangasius. By adopting these techniques, Indian fish farmers can enhance catfish seed availability, supporting the government’s push for aquaculture diversification. Sustainable captive breeding will reduce pressure on wild populations while ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality catfish seed for commercial farming.
14 March 2025 | Da u ruhi Pde, Arunjyoti Baruah, Amjad K. Balange, Deepjyoti Baruah, Bornalee Handique, Manish Pandey, Azhaguraja Manoharan, M.B. Chaudhary | 2916 Downloads | .pdf | 997 KB
Northeast India, a region rich in freshwater biodiversity, has significant potential for aquaculture development, yet faces challenges due to its hilly terrain, cold climate, and limited availability of suitable fish species. Indigenous minor carps, such as Labeo bata, L. gonius, Cirrhinus reba, Osteobrama belangeri, Bangana devdevi, and B. dero, offer a promising alternative to Indian major carps due to their adaptability to local conditions, shorter culture periods, and high market demand. These species perform well in lower temperatures, shallow waters, and seasonal ponds, making them ideal for sustainable aquaculture in mid- and high-altitude areas. Their omnivorous feeding habits allow for cost-effective diets, reducing reliance on expensive commercial feed. Expanding minor carp aquaculture will contribute to food security, economic growth, and the conservation of native fish species in Northeast India.
28 January 2025 | P. Dheeran, A.K. Verma, and M.H. Chandrakant | 4598 Downloads | .pdf | 276.47 KB
Salinity is a growing global challenge, affecting soil productivity, freshwater availability, and aquatic ecosystems. Inland saline aquaculture presents a sustainable opportunity to utilise salt-affected water resources for food production. This article examines the prospects and challenges of aquaculture in inland saline environments, focusing on soil and water characteristics, species tolerance, and mitigation strategies. It highlights the potential of using brackish groundwater for aquaculture, reducing pressure on freshwater supplies while making use of degraded lands. The study also discusses the physiological adaptations of fish to salinity stress, the role of key ions in aquaculture success, and the integration of saline aquaculture with traditional farming systems. Inland saline aquaculture could play a critical role in enhancing food security, optimising water resource use, and mitigating environmental degradation in semi-arid and arid regions.
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.
