The purpose of this manual is to give the reader a foundation of practical knowledge regarding all aspects of Pacific oyster cultivation. It is targeted at new entrants to the market wishing to establish a farm, and existing operators who wish to develop their farms and explore new cultivation techniques. The methodologies described can be applied to both low-tech, low budget, small-scale farming operations and to high-tech, big budget, industrial-scale aquaculture production enterprises. This guide focuses on the functional expertise and technical equipment required to construct and manage an operational farm in the diverse environmental and physical locations in which they can be situated, from the initial stages of finding and selecting a suitable site, to the conclusion of the first production cycle and harvesting the crop.

This FAO publication on brine shrimp is a manual for all those who are using Artemia or have an interest in this organism, whether as a source of live food in the hatchery, as a model organism in research, or for other purpose. It is intended for those who wish to update their knowledge on its biology, production or its use, but also for those who want to learn about Artemia for the first time. This manual presents in a concise form essential information on Artemia biology and the most important natural cyst resources that find their way to the aquaculture market. It also provides detailed information on general principles and practical procedures to produce Artemia in ponds and in tank systems. Finally, the manual offers a compilation of state-of-the-art guidelines and methodologies related to the use of this crucial live food organism in aquaculture.

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 4^th quarter of 2020), NACA is publishing reported aquatic animal diseases submitted by countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This report covers the fourth quarter of 2023 and the original and updated reports can be accessed from the QAAD page.

In this issue:

• 33rd NACA Governing Council held in New Delhi, India.
• Dr Eduardo Leaño elected as next Director General of NACA.
• Reported aquatic animal diseases in the Asia-Pacific region during the third quarter of 2023.
• We are hiring: Professional Associate, aquaculture transformation.

This report summarises the proceedings of the 22nd meeting of the Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health, held 6-7 November 2023. The role of the group is to review trends in disease and emerging threats in the region, identify developments in global disease issues and standards, to evaluate the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Reporting Program and to provide guidance on regional strategies to improve aquatic animal health management. The meeting discussed Progress on NACA’s Asia Regional Aquatic Animal Health Programme; Farm-level aquaculture biosecurity: From a tilapia parasites perspectives; Farm level aquaculture biosecurity: Update on Operation Black Tiger Shrimp Revival; Update on WOAH Asia-Pacific Network on Aquatic Animal Health; Update on regional disease reporting and disease list.