The development of resistant strains of disease-causing microorganisms is an important health issue of global concern. When microbes such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses become resistant to antimicrobial substances, the diseases they may cause become more difficult or impossible to treat. Resistance is developed by the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials and places human health at risk. The discovery of antibiotics revolutionised medicine, creating a belief that a 'magic bullet' had finally been found to control bacterial diseases. Antibiotics, a class of antimicrobial agents, kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, but they have no significant effect on other types of microorganisms such as viruses.

The regular shell colour of farmed Litopenaeus vannamei is off-white to greenish-white but instances of L. vannamei with brown-shell colour do occur in farmed shrimp. A study was conducted to determine if there were differences vis-à-vis shell colour, meat colour, meat composition and meat texture. White-shelled vannamei was determined to be better in terms of meat composition and texture profile but brown-shelled vannamei yielded a more brightly red-coloured cooked product.

Bangana dero is one of the most popular indigenous minor carps in the north eastern states of India, fetching triple the market prices of Indian major carps. B. dero is a bottom feeder and feeds on insect larvae, molluscs, algae, zooplankton and detritus. Over the last two decades the occurrence of wild juveniles of this fish in Indian rivers has fallen drastically. A protocol for induced breeding, larviculture, nursery rearing and growout including polyculture of B. dero is described.

Feed is the most expensive component of an aquaculture enterprise. Successful cultured fish production requires optimisation of feeding practices to ensure the most economically effective growth rates. Reducing feed costs for culture practices can be achieved by taking the advantage of restricted feeding strategies. Under a restricted feeding regime fish convert a greater portion of feed to body weight. Case studies of restricted feeding are presented for several species and the costs savings and other benefits are briefly discussed.

Community fishing is a unique feature in the state of Assam, India. The present case study narrates a community fishing event in the floodplain wetlands (beels) of Kamrup District in Assam, India, witnessing participation of different tribal communities in fishing and the modus operandi of diverse types of fishing gears with catch details. The design details of the gear were documented. The communal fishing practices of local communities are described along with the respective roles of men and women.

About 0.75 million tonnes of shrimp feed was produced during 2016, with roughly equal quantities of freshwater fish feed produced. Although shrimp farming is fully dependent on formulated feeds, freshwater finfish farming is still transitioning to use of pelleted feeds. High value coastal carnivorous fin fish continues to be produced via a combination of trash fish and formulated feeds. Fishmeal inclusion in shrimp feed formulations has fallen substantially. The availability of feed ingredients in India is discussed.

The Asia Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health meets annually to discuss regional health issues including emerging disease threats. This report includes a review of regional disease status circa 2016, global and regional disease reporting arrangements, global issues and standards, progress in implementation of the the Regional Technical Guidelines on Health management for the Responsible Movement of Live Aquatic Animals, identification and designation of regional aquatic animal health resources and regional and international cooperation.

The 15th meeting was held from 21-23 November 2016, in Bangkok, Thailand. A special session was held on addressing the use of anti-microbial substances in aquaculture and the development of anti-microbial resistance. This is an issue of global concern for both human and animal health, and it had been addressed by a resolution at FAO’s Thirty-ninth Conference in June 2015. The meeting reviewed in detail the status of aquatic animal disease in the region.

The 72nd edition of the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report contains information from 12 governments. The foreword provides information about the 15th Meeting of the Asia Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health.

The 71st edition of the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report contains information from 15 governments. The foreword provides information about the 10th Symposium on Diseases in Asian Aquaculture.