Salinity is a growing global challenge, affecting soil productivity, freshwater availability, and aquatic ecosystems. Inland saline aquaculture presents a sustainable opportunity to utilise salt-affected water resources for food production. This article examines the prospects and challenges of aquaculture in inland saline environments, focusing on soil and water characteristics, species tolerance, and mitigation strategies. It highlights the potential of using brackish groundwater for aquaculture, reducing pressure on freshwater supplies while making use of degraded lands. The study also discusses the physiological adaptations of fish to salinity stress, the role of key ions in aquaculture success, and the integration of saline aquaculture with traditional farming systems. Inland saline aquaculture could play a critical role in enhancing food security, optimising water resource use, and mitigating environmental degradation in semi-arid and arid regions.

Small and medium-scale aquaculture in West Bengal has evolved to incorporate cost-effective, sustainable practices that reduce input costs while maintaining productivity. This article explores various low-cost aquaculture techniques used by rural fish farmers, emphasising farm-made feed formulations, pond fertilisation methods, and integrated farming systems. Farmers utilise non-conventional feed additives to enhance fish health and growth while reducing reliance on expensive commercial products. Fermented feed supplements and probiotic formulations have been successfully implemented to improve water quality and plankton production. Integrated fish farming, incorporating compost manure, vermicomposting, and polyculture with species like giant freshwater prawn, has increased productivity and economic returns.

The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) will be held from 12-15 February 2025 in New Delhi, India. Submission of abstracts has been extended until 5 November, and early bird registration closes on 10 November, so get in quick!

The forum is a scientific meeting organised by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) once every three years to understand the global trends and address issues and challenges faced by the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The main purpose of this Forum is to provide an international platform for eminent scientists, young researchers, and other stakeholders across the globe to share their research experiences and innovative ideas. By facilitating the exchange of diverse range of knowledge and expertise, the Forum with the Theme ‘Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific’ aims to address key issues towards developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

This manual covers everything from grass carp's natural distribution and reproductive behaviours to its biology and anatomy. This manual also explores diseases that can affect grass carp and emphasises the crucial connection between animal welfare and stress in fish. With a detailed discussion on cultivation systems, this manual includes pond structures and fish farming techniques in both polyculture and monoculture. It provides practical insights into important aspects such as water quality monitoring, feeding, nutrition, health checks and behaviour assessments at every stage of grass carp farming – from broodstock management to pre-slaughter and slaughter processes. The emphasis is on responsible harvesting techniques, transportation considerations and humane slaughter methods. This manual offers a comprehensive guide for both novice and experienced fish farmers, and enthusiasts interested in cultivating grass carp sustainably and ensuring optimal animal welfare.

In 2023, FAO and NACA initiated a consultation process on aquaculture effluent management in Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with NACA member governments. Experts across the region gathered information to assess the state of governance, advancements in technology and innovation in aquaculture effluent management. The consultative process culminated in an expert workshop, convened from 14 to 15 November, funded by FAO, to share views and national experiences on aquaculture effluent management.

In this issue:

Training Course on Mariculture Technologies in Asia-Pacific; FAO/NACA Virtual Workshop on Aquaculture Transformation in Asia and the Pacific Region; Belt & Road Forum for International Freshwater Fishery Industry Innovation; 8th Global Conference on Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries, 21-23 November; Reported Aquatic Animal Diseases in the Asia-Pacific Region during the First Quarter of 2022; International Training Course on Biology and Pathology of the Penaeid Shrimp 2022; Angkasa Putra inaugurated as first President of the South-East Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Student Association; Artemia webinars: Video recordings of technical presentations available.

Video recordings and the report of the webinar are now available. The International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium (IAAC) hosted a webinar on Management of the Artemia Resources of the Great Salt Lake, 5 May 2022, at 14:00 UTC. The purpose of the webinar was to familiarise participants with recent international developments in Artemia research cooperation, and to examine the Great Salt Lake as a case study in successful management of Artemia resources in a multi-stakeholder environment.

The University of Stirling has been awarded funds by the British Council to provide funding for four Early Academic Fellowships for Women in STEM. These fellowships will be 6-12 months in duration. The scholarships are available to women who are passport holders and permanent residents of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. For further information please visit the University of Stirling website. The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2022.

In this issue:

Exotic trout fisheries resources and potentialities in Uttarakhand; Scenario of captive production of Clarias magur in India; Strategies to reduce feed cost by improving gut health and nutrient utilisation of fish in aquaculture; Fish pituitary gland collection and supply as a vocation in West Bengal, India; Coral trout Plectropomus leopardus aquaculture research and fingerling production in Indonesia; Smartphone app improving smallholder shrimp farming practices in Bangladesh; NACA Newsletter.

Coral trout Plectropomus leopardus is an emerging exported grouper commodity in Indonesia. The demand for coral trout fingerlings has been increasing and the value of this species is the highest among groupers. However, the rearing of coral trout larvae is notoriously more ‘difficult’ than other groupers. This article describes research on coral trout larval rearing protocols conducted by the Institute for Mariculture Research and Fisheries Extension, which has achieved a survival rate of 12%.