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 first quarter of 2023 and the original and updated reports can be accessed at the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease page.

In this issue:

• Pathway to aquaculture biosecurity: Mitigating risks, managing progressively and engaging the value chain
• Important considerations for feed and feeding management during Indian catfish culture
• A transitional journey from fisheries to aquaculture in Moyna
• Colour widow tetra: A new and highly preferred aquarium fish in West Bengal
• Expanding the horizon of aquaculture through women's empowerment
• NACA Newsletter

The concept of “empowerment” was introduced at the International Women’s conference in 1985 at Nairobi, which defined empowerment as a “redistribution of social power and control of resources in favour of women”. In recent years the development of women has emphasised providing equal opportunities to women by removing gender bias, empowering, and creating self-reliance among them. Empowerment of women and gender equality is recognised globally as a key element to achieve progress in all areas. Globally, the role of women and the need to consider gender issues in aquaculture development was first recognised by the FAO-NORAD sponsored workshop on “Women in Aquaculture” in 1987.

Known as ‘glow widow tetra’, ‘glow skirt tetra’, ‘colour widow tetra’ in the ornamental fish industry, a genetically modified variety of the black widow tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi is the most favoured by aquarium fish hobbyists in West Bengal. Stunning and sparkling red, blue, yellow, green, pink, orange, and purple bodied colour variations of this tetra have been developed through gene transfer or transgenic technology. The fish glow when kept under blue LED lights, hence the name ‘glowfish’. Maintenance of these brightly coloured and reasonably priced fish in small and medium-sized aquariums at home, the office, hotels, and other settings has become popular in West Bengal, India.

This story looks back over the last century at the fisheries scenario in Moyna, a community development block in West Bengal, India. The tremendous success of aquaculture practice in Moyna has strongly influenced farmers of surrounding districts to convert agricultural lands to aquaculture. Capture fisheries in Moyna have had a rich heritage that has gradually evolved over time. Beginning with traditional deep-water paddy-cum-capture fishery, as practices evolved the fish component of the crop began to take on greater significance, becoming the most profitable part. Over time, farmers have shifted to an aquaculture model, achieving an average yield of 12.5 tonnes/ha/year.