This document presents an overview and the final recommendations of the Expert Consultation on Aquaculture Health Management in Asia and the Pacific, which was held at the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia from 22-24 May 1995. The experts discussed three thrust areas, namely i) research, diagnosis and information, ii) training and extension, and iii) quarantine and legislation related to opportunities and needs for the promotion of aquaculture health management in the region. The Consultation formulated a number of recommendations aiming at improved regional cooperation in aquaculture health management. statistics for the Republics prior to 1992 was undertaken.

In 1994, world aquaculture production reached 25.5 million mt, valued at US$ 39.83 billion. Asia contributed 89.9% of this total, and has since continued to dominate global production. The drive to produce more fish and shellfish to meet the growing demand has lead many aquaculturists in Asia to intensify their operations. In many instances, the complex balance between the fish/shellfish and the environment is not well understood, the organism under culture subsequently becoming stressed and prone to infections. As we have already witnessed, disease has been and will continue to be a major constraint to the development of the aquaculture industry. Considering the FAO's priority on developing sustainable aquaculture, the large Asian contribution to global aquaculture production and the seemingly high losses of revenue due to diseases and health-related problems, FAO, in consultation with the Network of Aquaculture Centres in the Asia-Pacific (NACA), the Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute (AAHRI), the South East Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC) and the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM), and in collaboration with the Fish Health Section of the Asian Fisheries Society (FHS/AFS), organized a Regional Expert Consultation on Aquaculture Health Management in Asia and the Pacific, which was held at the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia in Serdang, Malaysia in May 1995. This document comprises the technical papers presented at the Consultation, and is a supplement to the report of the consultation, FAO Fisheries Report No. 529.

In 1994, world aquaculture production reached 25.5 million tonnes, valued at US$ 39.83 billion. Asia contributed 89.9 per cent of this total and has since continued to dominate global production. The drive to produce more fish and shellfish to meet the growing demand has led many aquaculturists in Asia to intensify their operations. In many instances, the complex balance between fish/shellfish and their environment is not well understood, the organism under culture becoming stressed and prone to infections. Disease has been and will continue to be a major constraint to the development of the aquaculture industry. Considering the FAO s priority on developing sustainable aquaculture, the large Asian contribution to global aquaculture production and the seemingly high losses of revenue due to disease and health-related problems, FAO, in consultation with the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific region (NACA), the Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute (AAHRI), the South-East Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC) and the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM), and in collaboration with the Fish Health Section of the Asian Fisheries Society (FHA/AFS), organised a Regional Expert Consultation on Aquaculture Health Management in Asia and the Pacific, which was held at the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia in Serdang, Malaysia in May 1995. This document comprises the technical papers presented at the Consultation, and is a supplement to the report of the consultation, FAO Fisheries Report No 529 (FAO, Rome 1995). Contents Chapter 1: Better Health Management in the Asia-Pacific through Systems Management by Michael J Phillips; Chapter 2: Fish and Shellfish Quarantine: The Reality for Asia-Pacific by J Richard Arthur; Chapter 3: Fish and Mollusc Health Research in the Asia-Pacific: Present Status and Future Directions by R B Callinan; Chapter 4: Shrimp Health Research in the Asia-Pacific: Present Status and Future Directives by Celia R Lavilla Pigoto; Chapter 5: Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Fish Health Management in the Asia Pacific by Mohammed Shariff; Chapter 6: Training and Extension in Aquaculture Health Management in the Asia-Pacific: Present Status and Future Requirements by Kamonporn Tonghuthai; Chapter 7: Health Management Strategy for a Rapidly Developing Shrimp Industry: An Indian Perspective by C V Mohan; Chapter 8: A Review of the Traditional and Innovative Aquaculture Health Management in the People s Republic of China by Jiang Yulin; Chapter 9: An Overview of Health Management of Coldwater Fish and Shrimp in Japanese Aquaculture by Kiyoshi Inouye; Chapter 10: Aquaculture Health Management in Singapore: Current Status and Future Directions by Frederic H C Chua; Chapter 11: Shrimp Farming in Sri Lanka: Health Management and Environmental Considerations by P K M Wijegoonawardena and P P G S N Siriwardena; Chapter 12: Quarantine Practices Used in Papua New Guinea for Introduction and Transfers of Live Fish by Ursula M Kolkolo.