In this issue:

Success Stories in Asian Aquaculture. Twelfth Regular Session of Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Training of trainers programme will strengthen small scale farmer competitiveness in ASEAN. Workshop on development of better management practices for catfish farming in the Mekong Delta organised in Vietnam. Vulnerability & adaption of climate change impacts on catfish farming - case study Can Tho, Vietnam. NACA welcomes Dr Nigel Abery, Coordinator of the Adaption of aquaculture to climate change project. EU supports better management practices for responsible aquaculture. Myanmar delegation visits CIFA to study aquaculture.

Fish species introduction has been a very important method of increasing fisheries production and economic output in China. A good example is the introduction of the icefish Neosalanx taihuensis into reservoirs and lakes in most areas of China. The present study aims to provide basic information on production, management strategies and biological characteristics in target reservoirs and lakes in China and guide introduction and management practices of the fish.

This brief reports on a catfish farming stakeholder workshop and focus group meeting on vulnerability and adaption to climate change held in Can Tho, Vietnam. Stakeholders including catfish farmers in general expressed that climate change is a serious threat, having observed shifts in climatic patterns, saline water intrusion and frequent typhoons. Suggestions to reduce on-farm risks included producing quality fry, developing new culture systems, elevating dykes, livelihood diversification, awareness workshops and financial support to farmers.

The vegetation in Mahakam Delta is predominantly mangrove forest that consists of a pedada zone, Rizophora zone, transition zone, Nipa zone and nibung zone. Prior to 1980, mangrove vegetation in Mahakam Delta was pristine. Considerable changes in the extent of mangrove ecosystem occurred between 1990-2002 until 2001 when about 63% mangrove areas was deforested mainly due to conversion for shrimp ponds. Since 2002, partial efforts for restoration had been taken in mangrove replanting at some sites.

This report, the 45th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of sixteen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement and its relationship to the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Standards.

In this issue:

Community management and revenue sharing practices of culture-based fisheries in Lao PDR. Floodplain aquaculture in Bangladesh. Promoting small-scale inland aquaculture in Papua New Guinea. Group approaches to shrimp farming: The key to sustainability. Native catfish culture - a technology package for farmers. Influence of salinity in the growth of the black clam Villorita cyprinoides. EUS in Asia and Africa. Offshore opportunities for artisinal aquaculture. Grouper aquaculture in Brazil. NACA Newsletter.

In this issue:

Lao PDR becomes the 18th member of NACA at the 20th GCM. Vietnamese catfish farmers visit Andhra Pradesh, India. Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010. Expert Meeting on the Use and Exchange of Aquatic Genetic Resources. Culture, capture conflicts: sustaining fish production and livelihoods in Indonesian reservoirs. Regional Grouper Hatchery Training Course, 11 - 31 October 2009. Sri Lankan group trained in cage culture in Thailand. First step towards the creation of a network of aquaculture centres in the Americas.

Reservoir fish fauna, fisheries production and management methods, amongst others factors, differ widely. The differences in fish yield between reservoirs and/or between countries cannot be easily understood and are unlikely to be determined by individual parameters or characteristics. This volume takes stock of the current management practices with a view to utilising this knowledge to develop and or evolve appropriate national and or regional strategies for sustained development of reservoirs fisheries.

Climate change impacts such as more frequent and severe floods and droughts will affect the food and water security of many people. The impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture, however, is not as well known. This policy brief, a joint partnership between several agencies, highlights this issue to ensure that decision makers and climate change negotiators consider aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture at the UNFCCC COP-15 in Copenhagen, December 2009.

This report, the 44th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of fifteen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword discusses national aquatic animal health strategies.