The ecological and biophysical diversity existing in Nepal offers comparative advantages and opportunities to develop and restore inland fishery resources for livelihood enhancement and poverty alleviation of rural communities. Through good governance and proper legislative measures it is required to establish improved environmental protection. Efforts need to target beneficiaries such as disadvantaged and marginalized ethnic communities with training and awareness raising, appropriate legal instruments and infrastructure development needs proper mitigation in hydropower generation/irrigation projects.

The production from inland capture fisheries in Thailand is about 1 million tonnes per annum. Engineering the environment and fish stocking are the two major practices adopted, and closed-season fishing as well as control of fishing gears are used for conservation purposes. Fish stocking programs date back to the 1950s have been continuously conducted. This presentation provides a historical perspective on stock enhancement practices in Thailand since the 1950s.

Inland fisheries resource enhancement has been considered a major component of reservoir fisheries management since 1962. Multipurpose reservoir construction commenced about the 1960s for irrigation, hydropower generation and flood control. Reservoir fisheries are always a secondary or tertiary activity and are given low priority; however stocking has been considered a major component of reservoir fisheries management. This presentation reviews the history of and changes to stock enhancement practices in Vietnamese reservoirs since the 1960s.

Fish species introduction has been a very important method of increasing fisheries production and economic output in China. A good example is the introduction of the icefish Neosalanx taihuensis into reservoirs and lakes in most areas of China. The present study aims to provide basic information on production, management strategies and biological characteristics in target reservoirs and lakes in China and guide introduction and management practices of the fish.

In this issue:

Lao PDR becomes the 18th member of NACA at the 20th GCM. Vietnamese catfish farmers visit Andhra Pradesh, India. Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010. Expert Meeting on the Use and Exchange of Aquatic Genetic Resources. Culture, capture conflicts: sustaining fish production and livelihoods in Indonesian reservoirs. Regional Grouper Hatchery Training Course, 11 - 31 October 2009. Sri Lankan group trained in cage culture in Thailand. First step towards the creation of a network of aquaculture centres in the Americas.