In this issue:
Small-scale farmers in the Indian Sundarbans are transforming their livelihoods through brackishwater ornamental fish farming. The region's estuaries and mangrove forests provide natural habitat for commercially valuable species like spotted scat, green puffer, pearlspot, and orange chromide. With training from ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture's Kakdwip Research Centre, local entrepreneurs have developed successful hatchery and grow-out operations.
Three farmers from Kakdwip Block demonstrate the sector's potential. Mr Tapan Maity produces 1,000-3,000 fingerlings monthly from his integrated facility. Mr Mahendra Dului operates a 32-tank hatchery using cost-effective farm-made feeds. Mr Aurobindo Haldar cleared his debts within three years of starting pearlspot production. These farmers combine scientific broodstock management with local knowledge to rear juveniles for urban pet markets in Kolkata and Howrah. The expanding domestic and export demand for brackishwater ornamental species offers sustainable income opportunities for coastal communities facing challenges from climate vulnerability and limited livelihood options.
]]>India's inland waters produce 70% of the nation's fish, yet up to 20% spoils before reaching consumers due to poor post-harvest handling. In Tripura, where people consume fish at four times the national average, a surprising entrepreneurial story is emerging from this challenge.
At Agartala's Durga Chowmuhani market, 22 young people have turned fish dressing into profitable businesses. Working four-hour morning shifts, these mostly unemployed youth earn Rs. 530-680 daily, incomes exceeding the state average, by cleaning small indigenous fish that retailers refuse to process. Their startup cost was just Rs. 500 for a specialised knife and Rs. 50 daily for market space.
This informal sector reveals strong market demand and employment potential. However, challenges remain: inadequate hygiene facilities, limited cold storage, and variable food safety standards. The path forward involves supporting what works - strengthening informal businesses with training, better tools, and gradual infrastructure improvements rather than waiting for large-scale formal facilities.
]]>Access to quality seed has long constrained aquaculture of magur, a high-value indigenous catfish prized across north-eastern India. Wild stocks have declined, yet demand continues to rise. In Nalbari district of Assam, scientists and farmers have created a solution. ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture worked with local farmers to establish more than 25 magur hatcheries using innovative fibreglass-reinforced plastic designs suited to flood-prone conditions. Farmers received training in captive breeding, hormone-induced spawning, and larval rearing using specialised feeds. Individual farmers now produce 300,000-500,000 fry per season, earning substantial income while supplying seed across multiple districts. The model shows how targeted capacity building, appropriate technology, and farmer-centred interventions can transform indigenous fish seed production from a critical bottleneck into a thriving regional enterprise. Approximately 70 farmers now actively supply magur seed where scarcity once limited aquaculture expansion.
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Asian seabass has emerged as a promising alternative to shrimp farming in coastal Andhra Pradesh. This article documents the complete production cycle practiced by farmers in Krishna, Eluru and West Godavari districts, from wild egg collection to market-ready fish.
The production process spans 14-16 months across multiple phases: two nursery stages transform eggs into fingerlings, a pre-grow-out phase develops juveniles to 100-200 g, and a final grow-out period produces fish weighing 3-4 kg. Farmers rely heavily on live feed, primarily small shrimp and tilapia, with feed conversion ratios around 6:1.
While the species offers advantages such as fast growth and salinity tolerance, farmers face challenges including fluctuating export prices, rising feed costs and disease outbreaks. The lack of species-specific therapeutics further complicates disease management. Most harvested seabass currently reaches export markets through Kolkata and Chennai, though opportunities exist for domestic value-added products.
]]>In Purba Medinipur, India's leading fisheries district, two farmers are exploring new directions in aquaculture. Sri Buddhadeb Maity has established commercial farming of the prized murrel (Channa striatus), achieving growth rates of 250-300g within two months. His neighbour, Sri Uttam Manna, has taken an unconventional approach: cultivating freshwater aquarium fish in brackishwater ponds near the Bay of Bengal.
Manna's method challenges established practice. He has observed fewer disease problems than those typically encountered in freshwater aquarium fish operations, potentially due to the salt content in his ponds helping to control pathogens. Both farmers have developed profitable enterprises whilst sharing their methods with neighbouring producers, encouraging diversification across the region.
]]>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.
]]>A free webinar "Farming resilience: Unlocking the Artemia opportunity" will be held on 30 October from 8:00-11:00 EST (13:00-16:00 UTC). This webinar will present the results of an in-depth analysis of Artemia production, conservation and investment opportunities by the World Bank Group, with expert input from members of the International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium.
Artemia (brine shrimp) is a critical live feed in aquaculture, particularly in hatcheries for shrimp, fish, and ornamental species. Its production and sustainable management are increasingly important as aquaculture expands globally. Global Artemia markets face increasing demand, while new innovations in farming, processing, and conservation offer opportunities for inclusive investment, resilience, and biodiversity protection.
This event will bring together global experts, policymakers, private sector representatives, and development partners to discuss the state of Artemia production and conservation, market opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and pathways for sustainable and viable investment.
]]>Bangkok, 21-22 October 2025 - Thailand convened a two-day workshop at the Department of Fisheries to shape a National Innovation and Investment Plan (NIIP) for aquaculture. The meeting formed part of FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme project TCP/RAS/4004, implemented with NACA, which is supporting India, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam to prepare NIIPs and link them into a shared Aquaculture Transformation Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning System (ATMS) for Asia and the Pacific.
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