International requirements on food safety, traceability, animal health and welfare and social responsibility are increasingly stringent. The burden of compliance and the cost of certification are particularly heavy for small scale farmers who are often excluded by the limited resources at their disposal. Working in groups can help small scale farmers attain economies of scale necessary to address compliance issues and participate in certification schemes, improving their competitive position.

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 2010, 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.

This regional review study is an effort to promote improved inland fisheries management under the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. It covers ten Asian countries with significant inland capture fisheries, namely Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. The papers were presented and discussed at a regional workshop held from 8-11 February 2010 in Pattaya, Thailand. Audio recordings of the presentations are also available for download.

The conference was organised by FAO, the Thai Department of Fisheries and NACA and held in the Mövenpick Resort and Spa, Phuket, Thailand, 22-25 September. The conference was the third in a series of aquaculture development conferences, following on from the Conference on Aquaculture in the Third Millennium held in Bangkok 2000, and the FAO Technical Conference on Aquaculture, held in Kyoto 1976.

This report, the 51st in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of twelve states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses animal welfare in aquaculture.

This report, the 50th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of thirteen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses food safety and biosecurity.

Welcome remarks made at the opening ceremony of the Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010 by Dr Somying Piumsombun, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Thailand.

Welcome remarks made at the opening ceremony of the Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010 by Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, Assistant Director General, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, FAO.

Welcome remarks made at the opening ceremony of the Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010 by Professor Sena De Silva, Director General of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific.

Welcome remarks made at the opening ceremony of the Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010 by Mr Thammarat Wanglee, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand.