On 28-29 November FAO and NACA collaborated on a virtual workshop to develop a regional strategy for aquatic organism health, using a progressive management pathway for improving aquaculture biosecurity. The workshop was held under the auspices of the project “Responsible use of fisheries and aquaculture resources for sustainable development component 3: Biosecurity and health management”. The workshop involved 31 experts from 16 countries, including national focal points, FAO and NACA. The objectives of the workshop were to: Present and analyse country responses to a self-assessment survey on biosecurity and health management capacity and performance; to provide guuidance to country participants on conducting a SWOT analysis; and to prepare a detailed plan for Phase II of the initiative.

As a follow on from the September FAO/NACA workshop on aquaculture transformation (see article in previous issue), FAO and NACA convened a high-level meeting to discuss the issue and the outcome of the previous consultation with policy makers. The meeting was held virtually from 22-23 November and was attended by 79 senior officials from 25 countries and international organisations, with observers from industry and international NGOs. Specific objectives of the high-level meeting were to: Engage senior policy makers and business leaders in the process of defining regional targets, action areas and initiatives for aquaculture transformation in the region by 2030, identify strategies and mechanisms to stimulate innovation and investment, and to recommend follow up actions and commitments.

With the implementation of the new aquatic animal disease reporting in the Asia Pacific region from January 2021, and in lieu of the published QAAD Reports (last issue published was 4th quarter of 2020), NACA is publishing reported aquatic animal diseases submitted by countries in the Asia-Pacific region.  This report covers the second quarter of 2022 and the original and updated reports can be accessed at the QAAD page. 

NACA welcomed five delegates from India on an aquaculture training and exposure visit from 31 October to 4 November. The visit began with a discussion at the NACA Secretariat on Thai mariculture, the recently established International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium, and better management practices concerning hatchery production and use of live feeds. The delegates left Bangkok the next day to visit seabass cage and pond culture and a shrimp nursery in the Chachengsao area and Bangprakong River. The following day they travelled to the Rayong Coastal Aquaculture Center and visited local farm sites before overnighting in Chantaburi. On the final day they visited the Kung Krabae Bay Royal Development Study Center and mangrove walk; and a freshwater fish farm to observe intensive carp and pangasius culture.

In this issue:

Sustainable livelihood model for coastal families through seabass fingerling production: A success story; A pilot of integrated mangrove-aquaculture as a nature-based solution to mitigate climate change in West Bengal, India; Recreational fisheries in Uttarakhand; Soft-shell mud crab production for export in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India; Conducting artificial fertilisation, hatching and spawn development of Indian shad, Tenualosa ilisha: Pathfinding hilsa domestication; NACA Newsletter.

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is highly favoured as a food fish by consumers but has a complex life cycle and has proven very difficult to breed. Domestication of hilsa requires extra effort while nurturing the larval stage, which is very sensitive and susceptible to mortality. This article describes standardised protocols developed by the Kalyani Field Station of the ICAR-CIFA Regional Research Centre, Rahara, for artificial fertilisation, incubation and larval rearing of hilsa, as the first steps towards the goal of hilsa domestication and culture.

In West Bengal wild-caught juvenile and sub-adult orange-clawed mud crabs Scylla olivacea are purchased by farms for grow out, fattening, and the production of soft-shell crab for export. This article describes the management practices for producing soft-shell mud crab at National Aqua Farm, using individual box enclosures, and their subsequent processing and packing for export. Details of the crab rearing unit are provided, along with observations of moulting cycles and post-harvest management of soft shell mud crab.

Establishing recreational fisheries in Uttarakhand's highland lakes and river systems offers new opportunities to generate livelihoods and income for hill people. The development of catch-and-release sport fisheries can also contribute to conservation of aquatic biodiversity through development of captive breeding technologies, supportive breeding based stock enhancement, and community participation in management of both fishery and habitat. This article describes established and emerging sport fisheries in the highlands of Uttarakhand including for mahseer, goonch and brown trout. It also addresses as yet unrealised opportunities for establishment of recreational fisheries identified through geoinformatic approaches, and partnerships between local communities and government in natural resource management.

Nature-based solutions are interventions that aim to protect, restore and sustainably manage natural and modified ecosystems to benefit human well-being and biodiversity and address societal concerns. Integrated mangrove-shrimp farming or simply aquaculture is the coexistence of mangroves and shrimp aquaculture in a tide-fed environment. In comparison to other shrimp farming systems, integrated mangrove-shrimp farming can additionally produce timber and supports biodiversity. To understand the possible benefits of mangrove integration, our consortium compared three integrated mangrove-aquaculture systems together with three local farmers in North 24 Parganas. This article describes our findings, and important factors to consider before deploying integrated mangrove-aquaculture systems.

Shanghai Ocean University (SOU) is offering full scholarship PhD programmes in a wide range of marine sciences 2023. Disciplines include: Aquaculture, biology, fishing science, fisheries resources, marine science, food science and engineering, fishery economics and management, and marine engineering and information. The scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, medical insurance and include a monthly stipend.

Applications are due 1 February 2023. For details of the programmes, eligibility criteria, required documentation and application procedures, please download the prospectus. Postdoc positions are available for excellent graduates and full-time faculty positions are available for excellent international postdocs.