NACA is pleased to announce the release of a new flagship publication, Success Stories in Asian Aquaculture. The stories in this book reflect the unique nature of Asian aquaculture, providing first-time insight into how and why it has become so successful. Overall, the book demonstrates how the resiliency, adaptability, and innovation of small-scale aquaculture farmers have been crucial to this success. It also places aquaculture development in Asia into a wider global context, and describes its relationship to natural systems, social conditions, and economics. The book is unique in its in-depth presentation of primary research on Asian aquaculture, and in demonstrating how aquaculture can have a lasting positive impact on livelihoods, food security, and sustainable development.

Contents

Aquaculture Successes in Asia: Contributing to Sustained Development and Poverty Alleviation
Sena S. De Silva and F. Brian Davy

Recent Developments in Rice-fi sh Culture in China: A Holistic Approach for Livelihood Improvement in Rural Areas
Miao Weimin

Shrimp Farmers in India: Empowering Small-Scale Farmers through a Cluster-Based Approach
N.R. Umesh, A.B. Chandra Mohan, G. Ravibabu, P.A. Padiyar, M.J. Phillips, C.V. Mohan, and B. Vishnu Bhat

Backyard Hatcheries and Small Scale Shrimp and Prawn Farming in Thailand
Hassanai Kongkeo and F. Brian Davy

Cage Fish Culture: An Alternative Livelihood Option for Communities Displaced by Reservoir Impoundment in Kulekhani, Nepal
Tek B. Gurung, Raja M. Mulmi, K.C. Kalyan, G. Wagle, Gagan B. Pradhan, K. Upadhayaya, and Ash K. Rai

Enhancing Rural Farmer Income through Fish Production: Secondary Use of Water Resources in Sri Lanka and Elsewhere
Upali S. Amarasinghe and Thuy T.T. Nguyen

Striped Catfi sh Aquaculture in Vietnam: A Decade of Unprecedented Development
Nguyen Thanh Phuong and Dang Thi Hoang Oanh

The Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapias Project: Impact and Lessons Learned
Belen O. Acosta and Modadugu V. Gupta

The Role of Exotics in Chinese Inland Aquaculture
Jiashou Liu and Zhongjie Li

Synthesis and Lessons Learned
Sena S. De Silva, F. Brian Davy, and Michael J. Phillips

This book will appeal to a wide range of readers. The introduction and conclusion give an excellent general overview of Asian aquaculture, and the individual case studies provide a wealth of new information for specialist readers. Researchers, development workers, and decision-makers, in particular, will be interested in how the Asian experience might be used to strengthen aquaculture development more generally and in other parts of the developing tropics of Latin America and Africa.

Success stories in Asian Aquaculture is edited by by Sena S. De Silva, Director General of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, and F. Brian Davy, Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Sustainable Development in Canada.

You can order hard copies of the book online from the Springer website

The regional quarterly aquatic animal disease (QAAD) reporting system is being implemented since the second quarter of 1998 and continues to provide a useful mechanism for aquatic animal disease information sharing amongst 21 participating governments in the Asia-Pacific region. The QAAD reporting system is a joint activity between NACA, FAO and OIE Regional Representation (Tokyo). The 2009/3 QAAD report - 45th in the series, includes disease information from 16 countries and the foreword provides some information about SPS Measures and OIE Aquatic Code.

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 530. Rome, FAO. 2009. 212p.
Cochrane, K.; De Young, C.; Soto, D.; Bahri, T. (eds).

An overview of the current scientific knowledge available on climate change implications for fisheries and aquaculture is provided through three technical papers that were presented and discussed during the Expert Workshop on Climate Change Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Rome, 7–9 April 2008). A summary of the workshop outcomes as well as key messages on impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and on fisheries- and aquaculture-based livelihoods are provided in the introduction of this Technical Paper.

The first paper reviews the physical and ecological impacts of climate change relevant to marine and inland capture fisheries and aquaculture. The paper begins with a review of the physical impacts of climate change on marine and freshwater systems and then connects these changes with observed effects on fish production processes. It also outlines a series of scenarios of climate change impacts on fish production and ecosystems through case studies in different regions and ecosystems.

The second paper tackles the consequences of climate change impacts on fisheries and their dependent communities. It analyses the exposure, sensitivity and vulnerability of fisheries to climate change and presents examples of adaptive mechanisms currently used in the sector. The contribution of fisheries to greenhouse gas emissions is addressed and examples of mitigation strategies are given. The role of public policy and institutions in promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation is also explored.

The third paper, co-authored by NACA staff, addresses the impacts of climate change on aquaculture. It provides an overview of the current food fish and aquaculture production and a synthesis of existing studies on climate change effects on aquaculture and fisheries. The paper focuses on the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on aquaculture, in terms of biodiversity, fish disease and fishmeal. Contribution of aquaculture to climate change is addressed (carbon emission and carbon sequestration), as well as possible adaptation and mitigation measures that could be implemented.

* 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

Editorial

Sustainable aquaculture

Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture
Edwards, P.

Mussel farming initiatives in North Kerala, India: A case of successful adoption of technology leading to rural livelihood transformation
Laxmilatha, P., Thomas, S., Asokan, P.K., Surendranathan, V.G., Sivadasan, M.P., and Ramachandran, N.P.

Selective study on the availability in indigenous fish species having ornamental value in some districts of West Bengal
Panigrahi, A.K., Dutta, S. and Ghosh, I.

Aquaculture livelihoods service centres in Aceh, Indonesia:
A novel approach to improving the livelihoods of small scale fish farmers
Ravikumar, B. and Yamamoto, K.

Research and farming techniques

e-Sagu Aqua - an innovative information and communication technology model for transfer of technology for aquaculture
Vimala, D. D., Ravisankar, T., Mahalakshmi, P., and Kumaran, M.

Freshwater pearl crop: an emerging enterprise in the Indian subcontinent
Misra, G., Jena, J. and Kumar, K.

Genetics and biodiversity

Preliminary risk assessment of Pacific white leg shrimp (P. vannamei) introduced to Thailand for aquaculture
Senanan, W., Panutrakul, S., Barnette, P., Chavanich, S., Mantachitr, V., Tangkrock-Olan, N., and Viyakarn, V.

Farmer profile

Aquatic animal health

Asian fish health experts visit Australia
Olsen, L. and Ingram, B. (Fisheries Victoria)

Black gill disease of cage-cultured ornate rock lobster Panulirus ornatus in central Vietnam caused by Fusarium species
Nha, V.V., Hoa, D.T. and Khoa, L.V.

Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network

Effects of the partial substitution fish oil by soybean oil in the diets on muscle fatty acid composition of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)
Hung, P.D. and Mao, N.D.

Growth response of cobia Rachycentron canadum (Pisces: Rachycentridae) under the hypersaline conditions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Yousif, O.M.*, Kumar, K.K. and Abdul-Rahman, A.F.A.

NACA Newsletter

Want to write for Aquaculture Asia Magazine? You can! Download the Guide to Authors!

The tsunami that struck Aceh province in Sumatra, Indonesia in 2004 devastated coastal aquaculture livelihoods. The ADB-assisted Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project engaged fish farmers to build and operate four Aquaculture Livelihood Service Centers. The Aceh Aquaculture Communication Center was also set up. With improved aquaculture support services, fish farmers now produce high-value shrimps for export.

The regional quarterly aquatic animal disease (QAAD) reporting system being implemented since the second quarter of 1998 continues to provide a useful mechanism for aquatic animal disease information sharing amongst 21 participating governments in the Asia-Pacific region. The QAAD reporting system is a joint activity between NACA, FAO and OIE Regional Representation (Tokyo).

The 2009/2 QAAD report - 44th in the series, includes disease information from 15 countries and the foreword provides detailed information about “National aquatic animal health strategies”.

There are around 86,000 reservoirs in China and most are used for fisheries production even though they were not built with this as their primary purpose. 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. The results may also provide technical references for other countries in Asia for the introduction of icefish.

Editorial

Sustainable aquaculture

Contrasting community management and revenue sharing practices of culture-based fisheries in Lao PDR
Saphakdy, B., Phomsouvanh, A., Davy, B., Nguyen, T.T.T. and De Silva, S.S.

Floodplain aquaculture in Begumgonj: New horizon for rural livelihoods in Bangladesh
Hossain, M. S.

Promoting small-scale inland aquaculture in Papua New Guinea
Edwards, P.

Group approach to shrimp farming: The key to sustainability
Kumaran, M.

Research and farming techniques

Native catfish culture - a technology package for fish farmers
Haniffa, M. A.

An assessment on the influence of salinity in the growth of black clam (Villorita cyprinoides) in cages in Cochin estuary with a special emphasis on the impact of Thennermukkom Salinity Barrier
Arun, A. U.

Aquatic animal health

EUS in Asia and Africa: Stimulus for regional initiatives!!!
Mohan, C.V.

Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network

Offshore opportunities for artisanal aquaculture
Stock, C.

Grouper aquaculture in Brazil
Sanches, E.G. and Von Seckendorff, R.W.

NACA Newsletter

Want to write for Aquaculture Asia Magazine? You can! Download the Guide to Authors!

* 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