This report, the 24th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of seventeen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses capacity building to prevent, prepare for an respond to aquatic animal health emergencies.

This document provides an overview of topical issues in Asian aquaculture for 2003, including a review of its status, progress in research and development, major issues and experiences, together with suggestions on actions for addressing opportunities and constraints. The document was prepared by NACA and FAO to facilitate discussions at the 15th NACA Governing Council meeting, hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka on 21st-25th April 2004.

In this issue:

Genetic impacts of translocation on aquatic biodiversity in Asia. Carp culture in Iran. Opportunities and challenges in Myanmar aquaculture. Impacts of monosex Macrobrachium culture on seed availability in India. Use of new technology and skills for eco-friendly production of tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. Larval rearing and spat production of the windowpane shell Placuna placenta. HACCP in shrimp farming. First breeding success of Napoleon wrasse Cheilinus undulatus and coral trout Plectropomus leopardus.

The recommendations are derived from discussions at the consultation and three expert working groups and were adopted during the final plenary session of the Expert Consultation. Together they represent a powerful set of recommendations in use of rapid diagnostic tools for better health management in shrimp aquaculture. They have been put together in this summary document for rapid dissemination to potential users, researchers and other interested parties, in India and elsewhere.

In February 2002 the shrimp fry collection ban was placed into abeyance pending further review of how biodiversity could be conserved at the same time as protecting the livelihoods of 400,000 fry collectors. A Shrimp Action Plan for the period April - September 2002 was drawn up to identify trends impacting on distribution and growth in the shrimp sector, and to explore alternative models for the management of fry resource and to assess their social, institutional and economic implications.

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the international seafood trade and poverty, with special reference to the trade in some selected marine products between Asia and the European Union. It represents Output 1 of the project “The International Seafood Trade: supporting sustainable livelihoods among poor aquatic resource users in Asia”, which was funded by the European Community's Poverty Reduction Effectiveness Programme (EC-PREP).

This article compares the use of chemical and biological amendments in shrimp farming in Asia and the Americas. The information comes mainly from the author’s experience in Thailand and Ecuador, as well as from the literature. The amendments are discussed according to three major categories: (1) water and soil quality management products, (2) biocides, and (3) feed additives. Certain agents, while necessary to successful shrimp farming, should be used only when needed and in a safe and responsible manner. 

This report presents a précis of the regulatory procedures for authorisation of veterinary medicines in Europe and the USA. In particular it concentrates upon the requirements for consumer safety in regard to presence of residues of veterinary medicines in the edible tissues of food animal species. In both Europe and the USA the regulations in regard to veterinary residues and consumer safety require that countries wishing to export into those markets demonstrate equivalent standards to the domestic requirements.

This document was the result of the discussions, conclusions and recommendations reached during the Expert Consultation in consultation held in Bhubaneswar, India, 16-19 October 2001. It was based on country reviews (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka), a synthesis paper (India), a technical guideline paper (Chinese experience) and resource expert papers (diseases and health management, water use and environment, nutrition and feeding) made available or presented during the Expert Consultation.

An Emergency Disease Control Task Force on a Serious Disease of Koi and Common Carps in Indonesia was organised by NACA in June 2002. The Task Force conducted an emergency assessment of the disease situation in July through field and laboratory examinations of collected samples. The Task Force collected information about the disease occurrence. Koi herpes virus was detected from all case samples which indicates that it may have played a role in the observed mortalities.