8th Regional Grouper Hatchery Training Course - apply now!

Applications are invited for participation in the 8th Regional Grouper Hatchery Production Training Course, which will be held at the Krabi Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre, of the Thai Department of Fisheries.

Grouper culture has led to a significant contribution to fish production and rural economy in coastal communities in Asia and also played an important role in conservation of the fragile coral reef fishes which are increasingly being threatened with overfishing and habitat destruction. However, one of the major constraints to furthering grouper culture is seed supply. Realising the need to produce commercial quantities of grouper seed, the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), in collaboration with its collaborating centres in the region, has offered a training course on grouper hatchery production seven times. Drawing expertise throughout the region and supported by experienced field experts in our collaborating centres, this highly hands-on training course aims to provide participants with a favorable learning environment to update their knowledge and enhance their skills in grouper seed production and hatchery management.

Regional Proficiency Testing for Aquatic Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories

Proficiency testing is an important mechanism for animal health diagnostic laboratories to test and improve their capabilities. Testing conducted by such laboratories helps underpin national health and quarantine programmes, and also plays an important role in facilitating international trade.

Participation in a recognised proficiency testing program is usually a requirement for formal laboratory accreditation. However, there is currently very limited access to proficiency testing programs for aquatic animal health laboratories in Asia. The NACA Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health has previously noted that ad hoc proficiency testing programs have been run for a limited selection of diseases and countries, but there is limited or no access to any on-going laboratory proficiency testing programs.

Asia is the largest producing region in the world for aquatic animal products, including more than 90% of global aquaculture production by volume. In response to the need, a joint laboratory proficiency testing programme will be conducted for aquatic animal disease diagnostic laboratories by NACA, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australian National Quality Assurance Program (ANQAP), and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory of CSIRO. The programme is funded by the Australian Government, through DAFF.

Regional study/workshop on adoption of aquaculture assessment tools for sustainability

The importance of promoting responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices at national and local levels is widely recognised. Planners, policy makers and manager are expected to consider environmental, social, animal health and welfare and food safety issues among others while developing national programs and activities to promote aquaculture to support rural development and empower small scale farmers. Various aquaculture assessment tools (e.g. import risk analysis, environment impact assessment, residue inspection, process and product certification) have been developed and used to support development of responsible and sustainable aquaculture.

Broadly speaking, aquaculture assessment tools could include methods, guidelines and processes that are used for planning, development, management and decision making. Some could be specific while others more generic. Some tools are guided by international agreements and instruments. Based on purpose, they can be classified as (1) tools for assessing risks in aquaculture (e.g. pathogen risk analysis, food safety risks, genetic and ecological risks), (2) tools for assessing risks in international trade (e.g. import risk analysis), (3) tools for assessing impacts (e.g. environmental impact assessment), (4) tools for assessing governance (e.g. codes of practice), (5) tools for management (e.g. BMPs, GAPs, Certification) (6) tools for socio-economic assessments and so on. Other tools could include communication tools, information tools, guidance tools such as the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.