An overview of the current scientific knowledge available on climate change implications for fisheries and aquaculture is provided through three technical papers that were presented and discussed during the Expert Workshop on Climate Change Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Rome, 7-9 April 2008). A summary of the workshop outcomes as well as key messages on impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and on fisheries- and aquaculture-based livelihoods are provided in the introduction of this technical paper.

In this issue:

Mussel farming initiatives in North Kerala, India. Selective study on availability of indigenous fish with ornamental value in West Bengal. Aquaculture livelihoods centre in Aceh, Indonesia. e-Sagu Aqua - an innovative information and communication technology model for transfer of technology for aquaculture. Freshwater pearl crop: An emerging enterprise in the Indian subcontinent. Preliminary risk assessment of Pacific white shrimp (P. vannamei) introduced to Thailand for aquaculture. Black gill disease of lobster and more.

This brief reports on a catfish farming stakeholder workshop and focus group meeting on vulnerability and adaption to climate change held in Can Tho, Vietnam. Stakeholders including catfish farmers in general expressed that climate change is a serious threat, having observed shifts in climatic patterns, saline water intrusion and frequent typhoons. Suggestions to reduce on-farm risks included producing quality fry, developing new culture systems, elevating dykes, livelihood diversification, awareness workshops and financial support to farmers.

Climate change impacts such as more frequent and severe floods and droughts will affect the food and water security of many people. The impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture, however, is not as well known. This policy brief, a joint partnership between several agencies, highlights this issue to ensure that decision makers and climate change negotiators consider aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture at the UNFCCC COP-15 in Copenhagen, December 2009.

In this issue:

An increasingly secure future for wastewater-fed aquaculture in Kolkata, India? First culture-based fisheries growth cycle in Lao PDR is overhwelmingly encouraging. Revival of abandoned shrimp farms in Andhra Pradesh. Growth of industries linked with aquaculture in Kolleru Lake area, India. Applications of nutritional biotechnology in aquaculture. Technical and management aspects of catfish hatcheries in Vietnam. Asian seabass farming. Mariculture development opportunities in southeast Sulawesi, and much more.

This publication contains the proceedings and major recommendations of the expert workshop which tackled three major themes: Seed quality, genetics, technology and certification; seed networking, distribution, entrepreneurship and certification; and how rural fish farmers can benefit from the seed sector. It also contains the outcomes of a desk study consisting of three regional syntheses, twenty-one country case studies and five thematic reviews (seed quality, genetics and breeding, seed networks, role of seed supply, farmer innovations and womens' involvement).

This compendium provides an overview of feed and fertiliser use for sustainable aquaculture development in developing countries. It comprises of a series of review papers from Asian and African countries, three regional reviews, a case study from Asia, a global synthesis and the report of an FAO Expert Workshop on "Use of feeds and fertilisers for sustainable aquaculture development", held in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, on 18-21 March 2006.

IDRC and NACA convened a workshop to identify the main research issues and needs to sustain Asian aquaculture into the first quarter of the 21st century, and also to bring them to the notice of relevant planners, managers and policy makers, and potential donors. The workshop was held in Rayong, Thailand from 4-7 June 2007. This report contains the issues papers drafted in preparation for the meeting and a summary of the discussions.

This practical manual provides better management practices for the farming of shrimp in tambak systems in Aceh, Indonesia. The manual addresses the formation of farmer groups, crop planning, and specifies better management practices. These include: Location of tambaks, design and construction of tambaks, pond preparation practices, shrimp seed selection and stocking practices, feed management practices, water management practices, health management practices, harvest and post-harvest handling practices, keeping records and improved marketing practices.

In this issue:

Sustainable black tiger shrimp farming in Sri Lanka. An economic analysis of Persian sturgeon stock enhancement. Aquaculture and environmental sustainability in Thailand: Food or financial security? Cage fish culture - successful income generation in manmade reservoir Kulekhani, Nepal. Diversification of rice farming alleviates poverty in a Bangladesh village. Sea-pineapple aquaculture in Japan. Green mussel cultivation in Thailand. Selective breeding for growh and fillet yield in Vietnamese catfish. Producing quality fish seed in rural Asia.