In this issue:

Inspiring story of aquaculture in Sikkim - a journey from conservation to farming; farming of scampi and tiger shrimp together - a case study from West Bengal; Labeo pangusia - a candidate for diversification of hill aquaculture; sustainability of an integrated livestock-fish-crop farming system as a small scale enterprise; sustainable coastal aquaculture in India; potential scope and prospects of domestic fish market in Chhattisgarh.

Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) is a relatively recent pathogen causing serious mortalities in farmed tilapia. The virus appears to be spreading via the usual pathway of importation of live fish with inadequate regard for biosecurity protocols. Countries that are at risk should establish surveillance for TiLV. Unusual tilapia mortalities should be investigated. Importation of live tilapia should probably be reconsidered until adequate biosecurity arrangements are in place. Links to some recent advisories and publications are provided.

Sikkim is a small Himalayan state of India with three climatic zones ranging from tropical to temperate to alpine. The moderate-cool and warm agro-climatic zones are suitable for farming rainbow trout and exotic carp species, while brown trout hatchery and ranching can be conducted in the alpine areas. We report on the status of exotic carp and trout farming in Sikkim including farming practices, constraints faced by local farmers and possible solutions.

We report on an Indian farmer co-culturing tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon and the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The farm utilises wild-caught riverine seed, stocked at a relatively low density and fed on a Macrobrachium pellet which P. monodon also accepts.

Labeo pangusia is a highly prized hill stream carp found mainly in the deeper pools of upland streams. Heavy fishing pressure has led to depletion of wild populations in recent years and the species is likely to become threatened if a conservation strategy is not developed. We report on an investigation into the reproductive biology of this species and on the result of successful induced breeding trials.

We examined the sustainability and economic viability of a model integrated livestock-fish-crop farming system developed by the Fisheries Research Centre, Assam Agricultural University, over an extended period of 13 years. The system was developed as an ecologically sustainable alternative technology for small and margin farmers. It incorporates two livestock components, pig and poultry, with horticulture and carp polyculture. Analysis of cash flow and benefit-cost ration revealed the system to be economically sustainable over the long term.

Coastal aquaculture in India was historically focussed mainly on tiger shrimp farming (Penaeus monodon) but production issues and disease led to the introduction of SPF Pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) in 2009. A robust technical and legal framework was established by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority. Improved regulation has improved sustainability of the sector and underpinned production, with farmed Pacific shrimp output rising from 1,731 tonnes in 2009-2010 to 353,413 tonnes in 2014-2015.

Trade in fisheries products is an important source of livelihoods for economically underprivileged people in Chhattisgarh. A socio-economic profile of traders and other actors from a domestic fish market is presented, including age, gender, education and income levels. The market infrastructure, distribution channels and species traded are described. Constraints to marketing arrangements are identified and include a lack of cold chain, storage and transport facilities.

FAO has developed an online training course on ending child labour in agriculture. The course is designed to raise awareness and build knowledge among agricultural stakeholders about the importance of addressing child labour in agriculture, including livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture. It aims to build specific skills, depending on work-related responsibilities and tasks and/or interests, by providing concrete ideas and guidance that can be applied in real life agricultural policy and programming situations.

WorldFish is seeking a Post Doctoral Fellow to coordinate and conduct research on emerging aquatic animal health challenges as a component of the Fish Health and Nutrition Research Cluster of the CGIAR Research Program on FISH. S/he will involve in epidemiological research on emerging fish diseases and engaging international and national research teams in Bangladesh, Egypt, Malaysia and other WorldFish focal and scaling countries and partners to deliver high quality research on aquatic animal health.