India

The giant featherback (Notopterus chitala) - valued as food, sport fish, and natural pest controller in carp ponds - remains under-utilised in Asian aquaculture despite strong market demand. Limited knowledge of seed production has constrained commercial development, whilst wild populations face pressures from overfishing and habitat loss.

Researchers at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture have compiled practical knowledge on captive breeding and larval rearing of this air-breathing species. Their findings address key challenges: establishing brood stock, triggering natural spawning using hard substrata, managing sensitive larvae through the critical first weeks, and preventing disease transmission from live feeds.

The techniques described offer farmers a pathway to reliable seed production, potentially easing supply constraints whilst reducing pressure on wild stocks. The work demonstrates how systematic documentation of breeding protocols can unlock aquaculture potential for neglected native species with conservation value.

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.

Reports received in 2025, as of the 2nd quarter, only came from few member governments including: Australia, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Saudi Arabia. Listed below are the reported aquatic animal diseases covering the first and second quarters of 2025.  The original and updated reports can be accessed at the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease report page.

Small indigenous fish species (SIS) are common in South and Southeast Asian inland waters and are often eaten whole. This article reviews evidence that SIS provide bioavailable vitamin A, iron, zinc, calcium and B12, alongside protein and long-chain omega-3s. It examines practical options for including SIS in carp ponds and rice-fish systems, drawing on recent field programmes, and identifies constraints, especially the seasonal, unreliable supply of seed from capture fisheries. The article considers which species are realistic candidates for hatchery production and what husbandry is required. The aim is to give producers, extension staff and policymakers a clear view of when SIS integration adds value, and what investments are needed to pilot and scale it responsibly.

How can small farms boost fish yields, cut feed bills and earn from more than one crop at a time? In Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district, one farmer shows the way with an integrated fish-duck-poultry system across four linked ponds. Ducks and poultry “pay their rent” by fertilising the water, which powers natural food webs for carp and rohu; simple gravity flow spreads nutrients and improves aeration. Over an eight-month cycle, the farm sells fish, ducks, poultry, eggs and even dyke crops like banana and turmeric - while keeping inputs low and water quality stable. This practical case study explains the layout, stocking plan and daily management behind the results, and why integrated aquaculture is a smart, climate-resilient option for small holders.

Bangkok, 7 October - NACA convened a one-day, in-person working group to shape the vision, mission and strategy for the AquaHub, a startup incubator and support network for innovators in the aquaculture space. The workshop focused on establishing the AquaHub’s vision, mission, values and partnership principles to define how it will operate, and the immediate steps required to mobilise partners and resources across the Asia–Pacific.

Participants began by clarifying the problems AquaHub should address and why a dedicated hub is the right vehicle. Small group exercises produced draft vision and mission statements looking to 2035, which were then refined through rapid peer feedback. This work was grounded in a brief review of AquaHub’s current status and the wider innovation landscape to ensure complementarity with existing efforts.

In this issue:

• Transforming Aquaculture in Asia and the Pacific: 3rd High-Level Meeting in Shanghai.
• Watch the HLM-3 presentations on YouTube!
• Thailand to chart aquaculture transformation plan at Bangkok workshop.
• Third Asia-Pacific Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program for Aquatic Animal Diseases launched.

In this issue:

• From office to field: The role of women in Saudi Arabia’s small-scale aquaculture and fisheries sector
• Farming of orange mud crab in the Indian Sundarbans: Opportunities and challenges
• Seed production of giant freshwater prawn in brackishwater ponds in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal
• AI and IoT (AIoT): The New Wave in Fish Farming
• NACA Newsletter

Orange mud crab (Scylla olivacea) has emerged as the main mud crab for aquaculture in the Sundarbans, supplying India’s live-crab export trade. This article explains why: faster maturation at smaller sizes, strong demand for gravid females, and practical fattening systems using HDPE boxes or seasonal pond units with tied claws. It summarises how farmers source crabs, feed with trash fish, grade by size and reproductive status, and move product through local traders to export hubs.

Farmers in West Bengal produce giant freshwater prawn seed in coastal ponds. The article sets out their practices in pond preparation and management, stimulating natural food with simple biological aids, and use of in-pond shelters to support survival. Broodstock come from two sources: local rivers or freshwater grow-out -offering different balances of reliability and handling effort. Seed then moves through harvest, grading, packing and delivery to buyers. With a livelihoods-and-sustainability focus, the model benefits smallholders, lessens river collection pressure and underpins a steadier giant freshwater prawn seed pipeline in eastern India.

The third Asia-Pacific Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program for Aquatic Animal Diseases has been launched, with a regional workshop in Bangkok bringing together 50 people from 13 countries and territories across the region. The program, supported by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, builds on more than a decade of collaboration to strengthen diagnostic capacity, safeguard aquaculture livelihoods, and support safe trade and food security.

In this issue:

• From risk to resilience: Innovative crop insurance solutions for securing shrimp aquaculture in India
• Efforts to rejuvenate primary fisher cooperative societies in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal
• Captive production of Gangetic mystus (Mystus cavasius): A guide for farmers
• Shrimp farm biosecurity in Saudi Arabia: A journey from past practices to future vision
• Wolffia globosa (duckweed) in aquafeeds for profitability and eco-friendly sustainable aquaculture
• NACA Newsletter

The increasing demand for cost-effective and sustainable aquafeeds has prompted interest in alternative protein sources to replace fishmeal. Wolffia globosa (duckweed), is a fast-growing, rootless duckweed with high protein content and favorable nutrient composition, offers significant potential as a feed ingredient in aquaculture. Studies conducted at the College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University in Tripura, India, demonstrated the feasibility of using Wolffia as a primary feed for rohu fry, yielding promising growth and health outcomes comparable to those achieved with conventional formulated feeds.

Beyond its nutritional value, Wolffia contributes to environmental sustainability through phytoremediation, improving water quality in aquaculture systems, and reducing the reliance on fishmeal and chemical fertilisers. Challenges remain, particularly due to anti-nutritional factors common in plant-based feeds, but these can be mitigated through thermal and enzymatic treatments. With proper processing, Wolffia globosa emerges as a viable, eco-friendly protein source for aquaculture, supporting both profitability and environmental stewardship.

The Gangetic mystus (Mystus cavasius) is a small indigenous freshwater catfish valued for its taste and nutritional qualities, with high market demand across South Asia. This article offers a practical guide for farmers on the captive breeding and production of M. cavasius, encompassing key stages from broodstock management to grow-out culture. Captive production methods are critical for ensuring seed availability and enhancing the commercial viability of this species. The article outlines protocols for brood selection, hormone-induced breeding, egg fertilisation, larval rearing, and fingerling development, with emphasis on water quality, feed regimes, and optimal stocking densities.

Special attention is given to improving larval survival through early indoor rearing, proper husbandry, and the use of live and formulated feeds. The slow-growing nature of M. cavasius necessitates low-density stocking and extended grow-out periods, typically yielding less than 1 tonne/ha/year. Despite the modest productivity, the species commands strong regional demand at 30–40 g market size. The guide also addresses common health issues and preventive practices, stressing the importance of water quality and early disease intervention.

This article examines recent initiatives to rejuvenate primary Fisher Cooperative Societies (FCSs) in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal, highlighting their critical role in advancing sustainable fisheries, rural livelihoods, and social protection. It outlines the structural, administrative, and policy frameworks that support FCS operations, particularly the government’s lease-based allocation of large freshwater bodies to cooperatives. The article also reviews the election procedures conducted under the West Bengal Cooperative Societies Act to reconstitute governance in 43 active societies, ensuring compliance and eligibility for state support.

Through detailed case data and programme reports, the article documents the outcomes of targeted schemes such as input distribution for sewage-fed and large-scale fish culture, equipment provisioning, pension benefits, and capacity-building training. It emphasises the cooperative model's effectiveness in managing natural resources, strengthening community self-governance, and enhancing productivity. With a focus on practical reforms and institutional accountability, the South 24 Parganas experience offers insights into scaling cooperative-led fisheries development in similar socio-ecological contexts.

India's brackishwater aquaculture sector, particularly shrimp farming, holds immense potential but remains largely underexploited despite its significant contribution to global shrimp production and exports. Small-scale farmers, who form the backbone of this industry, face substantial challenges including limited access to credit and insurance, poor management practices, and vulnerability to disease outbreaks and extreme weather events. These risks lead to considerable crop losses and hinder the sector's stability and growth. This article underscores the critical role of crop insurance as a vital risk management tool to mitigate these financial losses, secure livelihoods, and promote the sustainable development of shrimp aquaculture in India.

This article details the risks associated with shrimp farming, such as climatic events, disease outbreaks, market volatility, and financial constraints. It also outlines comprehensive risk management strategies, including the adoption of better management practices, biosecurity measures, and contingency planning. The article identifies key challenges faced by both farmers and insurers and presents innovative solutions and strategic recommendations for developing more effective and inclusive shrimp crop insurance products.

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.

The Fish Health Section of the Asian Fisheries Society (FHS-AFS) invites everyone to the 12th Symposium on Diseases in Asian Aquaculture (DAA12), to be held from 23-27 September 2025 in Chennai, India. DAA12 continues the legacy of the DAA series by providing an exceptional platform for researchers, industry professionals, and students to come together and share their expertise in the vital field of aquatic animal health.


We warmly invite researchers, industry professionals, academia, and students to join this exciting symposium and collaborate on sustainable solutions for aquaculture's future. Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience in DAA12 at Chennai, India!

In this issue:

• Promoting farmed shrimp consumption in India’s domestic market: A step towards sustainability
• Leveraging indigenous minor carp for sustainable aquaculture in Northeast India
• Shaping the future of Indian aquaculture: A path to captive catfish seed success
• Sustainable freshwater snail farming: Advancing nutrition security and rural livelihoods in Northeast India
• Promotion and protection of small fish species through farming: An initiative in Tripura
• NACA Newsletter

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.