This report summarises the proceedings of the 23rd meeting of the Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health, held 14-15 November 2024 by video conference. The role of the group is to review trends in disease and emerging threats in the region, identify developments in global disease issues and standards, to evaluate the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Reporting Program and to provide guidance on regional strategies to improve aquatic animal health management.

In this issue:

• Some practices and techniques in cost-effective small and medium-scale aquaculture in West Bengal
• Food and feeding habits of some peninsular carps
• Inland saline aquaculture: Prospects and challenges
• A success story of freshwater prawn farming as an alternative livelihood for self-help and user groups in Mayurbanja District, Odisha, India
• NACA Newsletter

Freshwater prawn farming has emerged as a viable alternative livelihood for rural communities in Mayurbanja District, Odisha, under the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA). This World Bank-assisted initiative has supported tribal self-help groups and user groups in adopting aquaculture as a sustainable income source. Through capacity-building programs, exposure visits, and technical support, beneficiaries have successfully engaged in fish and prawn farming, enhancing food security and financial stability. The study evaluates the impact of freshwater prawn farming in two Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs) in Karanjia and Shyamakhunta blocks, where genetically improved fish and Macrobrachium rosenbergii (scampi) were introduced. Despite challenges such as erratic weather and fluctuating water conditions, both sites demonstrated promising survival and growth rates, with MIP2 yielding superior production due to favorable water availability and market proximity. Economic analysis confirmed the feasibility and profitability of integrating freshwater prawn farming with modern aquaculture techniques.

Small and medium-scale aquaculture in West Bengal has evolved to incorporate cost-effective, sustainable practices that reduce input costs while maintaining productivity. This article explores various low-cost aquaculture techniques used by rural fish farmers, emphasising farm-made feed formulations, pond fertilisation methods, and integrated farming systems. Farmers utilise non-conventional feed additives to enhance fish health and growth while reducing reliance on expensive commercial products. Fermented feed supplements and probiotic formulations have been successfully implemented to improve water quality and plankton production. Integrated fish farming, incorporating compost manure, vermicomposting, and polyculture with species like giant freshwater prawn, has increased productivity and economic returns.

With the implementation of the new aquatic animal disease reporting in the Asia Pacific region from January 2021 NACA is publishing reported aquatic animal diseases submitted by countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This report covers the second quarter of 2024 and the original and updated reports can be accessed from the QAAD page.