People who manage fisheries in the lower Mekong are beginning to think of themselves as a community within a common river basin. This is a different way of thinking; managing fisheries is no longer seen as an isolated activity but as a part of the life of people who live along the river. Previously, fisheries managers might have thought of their job as safeguarding or increasing fish production, but now they must share in the effort to alleviate poverty.

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 2004, 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 report, the 28th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of seventeen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses the need for improved surveillance and transparent reporting of aquatic animal disease.

In this issue:

Cash for work, Aceh. HRH Chulabhorn opens new molecular genetics laboratory, Thailand. Aquatic epidemiology training. STREAM Regional Conference and BMP Workshop. Dr Modadugu V. Gupta awarded the 2005 World Food Prize. Study program on marine aquaculture and seafood markets in southern China, 2005. The third Regional Grouper Hatchery Production Training Course.

This report, the 27th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of fifteen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses identification of regional expertise in aquatic animal health, in terms of experts, resource centres and reference laboratories.