In India, West Bengal is the leading state in hatchery-based seed production (spawn, fry, advanced fry) of major carps and other economically important freshwater fishes. Dissolved oxygen is the most critical parameter of water quality and basic necessity in fish hatcheries, nursery and grow-out ponds. Hatchery fish seed production can be limited by the dissolved oxygen content of circulating water. Progressive fish breeders in villages of West Bengal have overcome and eliminated this problem by designing simple but effective means of water aeration to improve dissolved oxygen in hatchery water supplies, maximising survival of fertilised eggs, hatchlings and spawn. This article describes some of the techniques that have been adopted using low-cost and recycled materials.

The 83rd edition of the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease report contains information from twelve governments. The foreword discusses the upcoming 11th Symposium on Diseases in Asian Aquaculture (DAA 11), which will be held from 29 September to 2 October 2020, at the Borneo Convention Center, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

The 35th Session of Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission has identified the lack of effective governance as a major threat to sustainable aquaculture growth for greater contribution to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The objectives of the consultation were to: Share the results of country studies on aquaculture governance in respective countries; identify gaps, issues and challenges in aquaculture governance; and recommend strategies and actions to improve and strengthen aquaculture governance.

Audio recording of presentation delivered at the Consultation on Strengthening Governance of Aquaculture for Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific, 5-6 November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand.

In this issue:

Trends in water chestnut Trapa bispinosa farming in West Bengal, India; Improving livelihoods and increasing coastal resilience: A look at integrated mangrove-shrimp aquaculture in Vietnam; Snow trout fisheries in Arunachal Pradesh of the Eastern Himalayas; Gender issues in the fisheries sector of India; NACA Newsletter.

Water chestnut Trapa bispinosa (or paanifol in Bengali vernacular) is a perennial aquatic herb and economically important crop of lentic freshwater bodies. It is commercially cultivated for its edible fruit in shallow perennial ponds, wetlands and railway track-side water bodies. The fruit are harvested only in the post-monsoon until the beginning of winter. This article describes the farming and management of water chestnut, market chains, economic returns and role of this crop in the livelihoods of farmers in West Bengal, India.

Snow trout are known for their economic importance and are recognised as potential species for food and recreation. However, very little information is available on their taxonomy, distribution, biology, habitat and food value. The demand for this group of fish has increased drastically with increasing fishing pressure due to the lack of sustained aquaculture alternatives in this hill locked part of the world. This article describes the status of snow trout fisheries in the snow fed streams, rivers and upland lakes of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Women play an essential role in the fisheries sector of India. They make an immense contribution by engaging in varied activities. They may engage as paid or unpaid workers both in pre and post-harvest activities, in seafood processing plants, as caregivers of the fisher family - maintaining social networks and culture of the community and as members of fish worker movements and fisher’s organisations. However, their contribution often remains invisible or understated. This article examines the contribution of women to the fisheries sector in India, identifies constraints and suggests ways to address these issues.

EHP or Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei is a fungal microsporidian parasite that infects the hepatopancreas (hp) of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and whiteleg shrimp (P. vannamei) in Thailand and results in slow growth and, in chronic infections, mortalities. EHP is also known from Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Venezuela and Vietnam. This fact sheet provides information on the EHP life cycle, signs of infection, diagnosis and management in both hatcheries and growout, as well technical contacts for further information.

The 82nd edition of the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease report contains information from eleven governments. The foreword welcomes Dr Huang Jie, NACA's new Director General, a health specialist that has previously participated in the Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health.