Miao W., Mohan C.V., Ellis W., Brian D. (eds.) (2013) Adoption of Aquaculture Assessment Tools for Improving the Planning and Management of Aquaculture in Asia and the Pacific. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand. RAP Publication 2013/11, 136 pp.

Global capture fish production has been stagnant since the 1990s. The major part of increased fish production during the last two decades has come from aquaculture, largely the result of progress in culture technologies and management practices, increases in the level of input use and expansion of culture areas. This rapid growth has been accompanied by an array of problems, including biosecurity and related food safety issues, conflicts over use of natural resources and impacts on the environment. This publication is the product of a regional study on the adoption of aquaculture assessment tools in major aquaculture producing countries in Asia to promote improved planning and management of the sector in the region. Various aquaculture assessment tools (AATs) have been developed and introduced to Asia and the Pacific region for supporting informed planning and effective management of aquaculture sector. Due to the differences in sectoral development stage, national capacity and other factors, extent and effectiveness of adoption of aquaculture assessment tools vary greatly across the countries in the region. An appropriate strategy developed based on good evaluation of adoption of aquaculture assessment tools is an important step to promote sustainable development of the sector through wider and more effective adoption of aquaculture assessment tools in Asia and the Pacific region, which contributes over 90 percent of the world aquaculture production. This publication is the product of a regional study supported by FAO and implemented through the cooperation with the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and APFIC, which focused on situation assessment of adoption of aquaculture assessment tools in 10 major aquaculture producing countries in Asia and the Pacific and development of regional strategy for promoting the wider and more effective application for improved planning and management of aquaculture sector in the region. This publication is expected to provide the member governments, various stakeholders and professionals with the up to date information on current adoption of aquaculture assessment tools in the region and a good reference for developing their strategy and action plan to promote the application of the assessment tools and contribute to sustainable development of aquaculture sector in their countries.