This study examines the development of the Community Fisheries Sub-Decree. From its promulgation in late 2000 through its draft form in June 2002, this sub-decree has gone through over 25 drafts. Initially, the writing process involved the public intimately: community meetings were conducted, NGOs contributed their knowledge and expertise, and then, with these consultations in mind, the newly-formed Community Fisheries Development Office (CFDO) in the Department of Fisheries (DoF) drafted the sub-decree.

This document is the Inception Report of the DFID NRSP Research Project R8100 (March 2002 – May 2003), managed by the NACA. The purpose of the project is to identify, test and promote mechanisms for the delivery of improved rural services critical to the development of rural livelihoods, with emphasis on services in support of aquaculture objectives, strengths and constraints of marginalised groups and their complex diverse livelihoods. An inception visit was made from 17-24 March 2002. 

This article discusses a process for transacting pro-poor policy change is discussed drawing on examples in aquaculture from India. Based on research and development experience in Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa, and some further work in the western and central regions covering tribal populations, the Fisheries Development Commissioner encouraged the NACA-STREAM Initiative to recommend reforms under the FFDA scheme or even suggest a new “tribal” rainfed farming component that could be launched in the next year.

In this issue: Efforts of a farmer in fish seed production for self-employment. Remembering: The missing capacity. Measuring the process. Women's fish farmers group in Nawalparasi, Nepal. Periphyton-based aquaculture: A sustainable technology for resource-poor farmers. Unlocking information on the internet: STREAM media monitoring and issue tracking. This edition is also available in Ilonggo, Nepali and Vietnamese.

In this issue:

Prawn farm energy audits. Freshwater fish farming and poverty alleviation in Bangladesh. Artificial propagation for conservation of endangered species. Sewerage-fed aquaculture systems of Kolkata. Rice-fish farming in India. The use of lime, gypsum, alum and potassium permanganate in water quality management. Fish gene technology research in China. Low-salinity shrimp farms. Seed production of Clarius batrachus. Supplying good-quality seed for sustainable aquaculture and more.

In this issue:

Roll-out of national aquatic animal health strategies continues. STREAM concludes inception phase of 'Improved Policy on Aquaculture Service Provision to Poor People' Project in India. Expert consultation on rapid diagnosis of shrimp viral diseases held in Chennai, India. ACIAR/NACA Workshop on Feeds and Feeding Constraints in Inland Aquaculture: Research and Extension Priorities. NACA supports health management in Indian shrimp farming. Marine Finfish Aquaculture aquaculture programme gears up for workshop. Launch of Trans-Himalayan Coldwater Fisheries Network Website. NACA Organises Emergency Assistance to Indonesia in the Control of a Serious Koi and Common Carp Disease.

In this issue: Learning from each other about conflict. e-learning to support knowledge sharing in aquatic resources. Livelihood strategies, gender and participation in aquaculture: Findings from participatory research in northwestern Sri Lanka. Farming of giant tiger shrimp in northern central Vietnam. Interacting with stakeholders and policy-makers. This edition is also available in Ilonggo, Khmer, Nepali and Vietnamese.

These are the proceedings of a workshop focussed on grouper culture, but also explored management strategies required to support the sustainable development of seafarming in the Asian region. The emphasis was on technology transfer and management strategies for the benefit of farmers and coastal communities. The workshop included special sessions on diversification of seafarming systems and culture species, the role of seafarming in the livelihoods of coastal communities.

In this issue:

Chemical residues. Live reef fish trade in Hong Kong. Barramundi farming in Australia. Freshwater pearl and prawn production in China. Status of common carp varieties under culture in China. Induced spawning of Pangasius sutchi. Cambodian farmers innovate cost-effective variations on Chinese hatcheries. Genes and fish. Improving rural livelihoods in Cambodia, Vietnam, Nepal and the Philippines through the STREAM Initiative. Marine finfish news, book reviews and more.

In this issue:

Governing Council 13 / AFBiS Seminar. US Consultation sets work agenda for the WB-NACA-WWF-FAO. Consortium on Shrimp Farming and the Environment. Conclusions and Recommendations of the Joint meeting of AFBiS 2002 and the 13th NACA Governing Council. FAO/NACA Expert Consultation Focusing on Aquaculture and Small-scale Aquatic Resource Management for Poverty Alleviation. Myanmar Fishery and Livestock Fair 2002 a huge success. Nepal develops national strategy on aquatic animal health management. Shrimp Farming & the Environment Case Studies now available on the web. NACA implements APEC project on Import Risk Analysis. MOU on project to prevent disease losses on prawn farms. Andhra Pradesh Fisheries Minister studies Thai & Malaysian aquaculture systems. Vietnamese mission evaluates new high value Chinese species.

STREAM is a regional initiative that will support capacity building among local government institutions, NGOs, and community groups involved in aquatic resources management. It will support community-based learning initiatives, develop a regional communications and learning strategy and support on-going policy and institutional changes in the region to enable aquatic resources users to participate more effectively in policy-making processes, and encouraging the development of more responsive government institutions.

This volume, the third major publication arising from the Conference on Aquaculture in the Third Millennium, contains the information essential to conduct well-informed discussion of sustainable aquaculture development - both at the Conference, as well as after. The information provide basic reference points on the progress, direction and magnitude of aquaculture changes, and the factors associated with these changes, within global, regional, sectoral, thematic and technical perspectives.

This paper reports on the development of a communication dissemination strategy for aquaculture recommendations resulting from participatory research in eastern India. It focuses on the rural poor who have limited access to resources and no effective aquaculture extension support. Important matters in relation to access to extension messages include socio-economic issues, access to TV and radio receivers, literacy levels and language. The paper shows the relative accessibility of different types of extension media for the different stakeholders.

Aquaculture Asia Magazine is an autonomous publication that gives farmers and scientists in developing countries a voice. Stories concern the small-scale aquaculture prevalent in the region and the circumstances of farmers trying to make ends meet in an increasingly globalised world. We accept articles on any aspect of aquaculture and the related processing, marketing, economic, environmental and social issues. An RSS feed is available if you wish to stay informed of new issues.

NACA publishes audio and video recordings of presentations from technical workshops and conferences. You may listen or view the presentations via the player within the website, or download them for later use. Our audio files are in mp3 format, while video files are in mp4.

NACA publishes a wide range of aquaculture publications including technical manuals, workshop proceedings, better practice guidelines and several serials including Aquaculture Asia Magazine, the NACA Newsletter and the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report. To keep up to date with developments you could consider subscribing to our RSS feed. 

Learning, conflict management, information and communication technologies, aquatic resources management, legislation, livelihoods, gender, participation, stakeholders, policy and communications. They represent the sorts of issues around which the STREAM Initiative is promoting learning and communication. The STREAM Journal showcases a range of perspectives on issues and contexts from a diversity of views, and documents these voices so that our dialogues can be informed and inclusive. The intention is not to criticise, but to join with colleagues to be helpfully critical.