Consultation On Aquaculture Development In Asia

The consultation was held at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan from 20-24 September.

The consultation organised by Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) in conjunction with the Institute of Hydrobiology was co-hosted by the Institute of Hydroecology, Ministry of Water Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Hydroecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, and WWF-HSBC Climate Change Partnership, and brought together over 40 key researchers from nine Asian countries and the FAO.

The consultation brought together over 40 key researchers from nine Asian countries and the FAO. There was a significant representation from the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Fisheries Programme, from all riparian countries, including the programme coordinator, Xaypladeth Choulamany.

The consultation was declared opened by the Director of the Institute of Hydrobiology and short introductory remarks were given by Miao Weimin, Aquaculture Officer, RAP/FAO, Bangkok, Sena S De Silva, Former Director General of NACA and Wang Zhaomin, Director General, Hubei Fisheries Bureau, China.

The scientific proceedings were divided into five sessions, with Session one consisting of key note addresses by Li Zhongjie on Development and reform of lake and reservoir fisheries in China, Sena S De Silva, on the Importance of reservoirs and lakes in food fish production in Asia, and Chang Jianbo On successful stimulation of gonad maturation of freshwater reared Acipenser sinensis by controlling annual temperature patterns.

The other sessions were conducted on the following themes: Country perspectives, management aspects, ecosystems / stock enhancement / water quality, and translocations / introductions / climate change.

Each session was followed by a discussion on the common issues relevant to improving fish production in lakes and reservoirs in the region and related environmental aspects. The consultation also discussed in detail a concept proposal for a Regional Programme on Stock Enhancement developed by the MRC in consultation with NACA and the FAO, at a consultation held in Vientiane, Lao PDR in August 2010.

The group made further suggestions to expand the scope of the activity and endorsed that this concept proposal be developed as a regional project to be funded under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) of the FAO.

The concluding remarks of the consultation were delivered by Mr Arni Helgason, Icelandic International Development Agency and Professor Liu Jiashou of the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The participants had the opportunity to visit Liangzhi Lake where major management changes have been made, resulting in significant improvements in economic gains and improvements in water quality. The lake fishery now essentially concentrates on the production of Chinese mitten crab and mandarin fish, both high valued species. Over the years the improved management has been successful in eliminating eutrophication problems in the lake.