This report presents an overview of the state of aquatic resources in the Philippines, its performance and importance in the Philippine economy, and explores the situation of poverty in the "aquatic resources sector." The report describes the policy environment that guides the action of key actors in the sector. A general analysis of some trends in relation to factors that keep the poor from participating and benefiting from aquatic resource management is also provided.

The main objectives of the study were to describe the development of the small-scale or back yard multispecies hatcheries and their economic structure and benefits to the farmers and local community in Bali, Indonesia. The social and economic impact of the back yard multi-species hatchery systems were analysed and details of the benefit of this system to the community described. The strengths and weaknesses of the back yard multi-species hatchery system are described.

This report describes the national-level requirements for data collection and sharing mechanisms for fisheries co-management in Cambodia. It presents the findings from a thorough literature review and workshops, group and individual interviews. Community fisheries in Cambodia are at a very early stage of development, and the exact management responsibilities are still poorly understood by many stakeholders. This report relates the information needs voiced by participants in this study.

In October 2000 the government of Cambodia announced a major change in fisheries management policy. The core elements of the new policy are the reduction of fishing lot concession areas by 56%, the broader participation of fishing communities in the management of fisheries and a focus on the efficient, sustainable and equitable use of the living aquatic resources. This document details the Strategic Plan for the CFDO in the Department of Fisheries (DoF) based on its mandate.

Small-scale aquatic resources play an important but poorly quantified role in the livelihoods of rural people in many developing countries, and are also important reservoirs of biological diversity. We conducted a field study in Southern Laos to quantify small-scale aquatic resource, and to assess the impacts of (small-to medium
scale) irrigation and aquaculture development on these resources.