Emerging Global Issues https://enaca.org/rss/?tag=14 The Emerging Global Issues Programme provides policy guidance on key strategic and emerging issues such as climate policy, energy efficiency and alternatives to use of fish meal in aquaculture feeds. The programme endeavours to bring to public domain the positive aspects of aquaculture as a significant contributor to food security and the livelihoods of rural communities, and actively promotes south-south cooperation. Key activities Development of projects and policy guidance on emerging issues of regional interest. Contribute to the global dialogue on use of fish meal and oil in animal feeds and resource usage in the reduction industry. Providing a regional platform for members to develop common policies and strategies to address emerging global issues. Facilitating the development of an environmental monitoring system to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture resilience and to improve early warning in the lower Mekong Delta. Evaluating the vulnerabilities of aquaculture systems to climate change. Strengthening adaptive capacities of small-scale resource-poor farmers to the impacts of climate change. Adaptive learning and management in community fish pond and school fish pond projects. Playing a catalytic role in south-south cooperation in aquaculture development. Communication of success stories in aquaculture. [email protected] [email protected] Copyright all rights reserved Report of the 3rd High-Level Meeting on Aquaculture Transformation in Asia and the Pacific Region https://enaca.org/?id=1461

The third High-Level Meeting on Aquaculture Transformation assessed progress towards 2030 transformation goals and identified priority actions for the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting report, covering discussions held 1-2 July 2025 in Shanghai, documents findings from representatives of NACA member  governments, FAO and regional organisations.

Participants identified multiple barriers to sustainable intensification: farmer scepticism about unfamiliar technologies, limited access to expertise, and misaligned incentives that prioritise profit over environmental responsibility. Investment remains concentrated at higher levels rather than reaching small-scale producers. The discussions emphasised collaborative approaches, knowledge-based farming systems, and the need to document aquaculture's positive social impacts.

NACA and FAO will continue supporting National Innovation and Investment Plans in India, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Future work includes establishing an Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub and developing monitoring systems to track transformation progress across the region.

]]> Sun, 09 Nov 2025 01:22:58 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1461 Transforming Aquaculture in Asia and the Pacific – 3rd High-Level Meeting in Shanghai https://enaca.org/?id=1414

The 3rd High‑Level Meeting on Aquaculture Transformation in Asia and the Pacific, held 1–2 July in Shanghai, brought together governments, industry leaders and development partners to drive innovation, investment and sustainability in the region’s aquaculture sector. Discussions focused on scaling low‑cost fish production, making technology adoption easier for small farmers, improving access to finance, and strengthening regional cooperation. The meeting set clear priorities for accelerating transformation by 2030, with resources and key presentations now available online. Videos of the presentations are available for viewing on YouTube.

]]> Fri, 01 Aug 2025 07:08:42 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1414 Background & objectives of the 3rd High Level Meeting on Aquaculture transformation in Asia-Pacific https://enaca.org/?id=1424

This presentation by Eduardo Leaño, Director General of NACA, provides a background and introduction to the 3rd High-Level Meeting on Aquaculture Transformation in the Asia-Pacific Region (HLM-3).

The region accounts for around 90% of global aquaculture production but faces mounting challenges including resource scarcity, environmental pressures, climate change, and shifting global dynamics. Addressing these requires a strategic shift driven by innovation, investment, and stronger partnerships to build more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable aquatic food systems.

HLM-3 builds on the outcomes of previous high-level meetings and the Aquaculture Transformation White Paper, with a focus on national innovation and investment plans, regional collaboration, and implementation efforts to achieve transformation by 2030.

]]> Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:05:14 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1424 NACA Newsletter, Vol. XXXIX, October-December 2024 https://enaca.org/?id=1371

In this issue:

  • Training Programme on Safeguarding Artemia Resources for Aquaculture held in Rome.
  • First International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium Conference and Members' Meeting, Ostend, Belgium.
  • Inception workshop: Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture transformation.
  • Reported Aquatic Animal Diseases in the Asia-Pacific Region during the First Quarter of 2024.
  • 14th Asian fisheries and Aquaculture Forum, India.
  • PhD scholarships: Shanghai Ocean University PhD Programme 2025.
]]> Thu, 28 Nov 2024 06:36:16 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1371 Project introduction: Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture transformation in Asia-Pacific https://enaca.org/?id=1362

This presentation provides an introduction and overview to the project "Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture transformation in Asia-Pacific: Support to the Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub". The project contributes to NACA and FAO's work on aquaculture transformation, which aims to create more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems through innovation, investment, and partnerships.

NACA is developing an Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub (AIIH) to help realise this vision in the region, providing a facility that will bring together innovators, startups, and investors to accelerate transformation. The presentation was given at the project inception workshop on 4 June 2024 in Bangkok. The project is funded by Canada's International Development Research Centre.

]]> Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:01:09 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1362 Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture and transformation in Asia-Pacific: Support to the Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub https://enaca.org/?id=1361

This project contributes to NACA's recent work with the FAO on aquaculture transformation. The aim is to create more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems through innovation, investment, and partnerships. NACA is developing an Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub (AIIH) to help realise this vision in the region, providing a facility that will bring together innovators, startups, and investors to accelerate transformation. The project will contribute to developing National Innovation and Investment Plans for Thailand, The Philippines, and Fiji, which will address issues including climate change, disease prevention and management, environmental sustainability, gender equality and social inclusion, and resource utilisation and management. The project is part of a wider AQUADAPT initiative, a four-year partnership running from 2023-2027, funded by Canada's International Development Research Centre.

]]> Wed, 07 Aug 2024 08:57:28 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1361 FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture adopted by COFI https://enaca.org/?id=1355

FAO's Committee on Fisheries has adopted the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA), which have been prepared to support efforts at all levels for enhancing the important role of aquaculture towards the eradication of hunger and poverty and to support socioeconomic development, in full respect of the environment, biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The GSA are a major milestone and a collective achievement by FAO and its Members, underscoring the global recognition of the vital role of aquaculture and the need for its continued sustainable development for the sake of current and future generations. 

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2024 05:43:57 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1355 Inception workshop: Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture transformation https://enaca.org/?id=1352

Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is sponsoring the project "Knowledge Brokering for Nature-Based Solutions in Aquaculture Transformation in Asia-Pacific: Support to the Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub." The project is part of a wider IDRC AQUADAPT initiative, a four-year partnership running from 2023-2027. AQUADAPT addresses the intertwined challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity through applied research on nature-based solutions in aquaculture in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. AQUADAPT emphasises Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), ensuring that nature-based solutions are inclusive of all genders and marginalised groups. The project's inception workshop was held in Bangkok from July 4-5, bringing together project teams from Thailand, The Philippines, and Fiji to discuss approaches and methodologies. 

]]> Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:06:39 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1352 WAS Journal Special Issue: Global Conference on Aquaculture Millennium +20 Thematic Reviews https://enaca.org/?id=1297 Eight thematic reviews prepared as preparation for the Global Conference on Aquaculture Millennium +20 (GCA +20) have been published in a Special Issue of the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society "Aquaculture for Food and Sustainable Development". A group of experts prepared advanced working drafts of each thematic review and the key findings from each theme were presented and discussed by expert panels during the GCA +20. Participants were then invited to provide their feedback and perspectives on the reviews and their key messages for consideration in finalisation of the papers. The reviews are available for free download.

]]> Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:14:40 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1297 NACA awarded the Aziz-Ul Haq Rural Development Medal https://enaca.org/?id=1289

A highlight of the 32nd Governing Council Meeting in Chiang Mai was the award of the Aziz-Ul Haq Rural Development Medal to NACA by the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP). The award was presented by Dr Cherdsak Virapat, Director General of CIRDAP on behalf of the CIRDAP Governing Council, which had determined to confer the award at a Special Session of the Executive Committee on 25 May.

The award was granted to NACA “…for its remarkable contributions to rural development through sustainable aquaculture and aquatic resource management programs, policy dialogue and regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific region and for unwavering support to the CIRDAP mission to promote regional sustainable aquaculture development and resilience to climate challenges.”

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 10:19:16 +0000 https://enaca.org/?id=1289