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species and transfers and stocking were given continuing attention. A list of fish species introduced into the Indo-Pacific region was compiled and the adoption of a Code of Practice to regulate further introductions and transfers was promoted. Papua New Guinea continued to receive assistance in fish stock enhancement in the Sepik River, with strict adherence to the Code of Practice.
Aquaculture
101.
Aquaculture development was supported by several regional projects, viz. Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia (NACA), Regional Seafarming Development, Bay of Bengal Programme and South Pacific Aquaculture Development. NACA conducted a regional training course in fish disease diagnosis, a workshop on the epizootic ulcerative fish disease syndrome, and a workshop on mollusc sanitation and marketing. The project became an autonomous intergovernmental organization in December 1989. The Regional Seafarming Project provided training and demonstration to facilitate technology transfer. It also assisted governments to establish management capabilities in seafarming development. The application of geographic information systems in Asian aquaculture was also promoted in cooperation with the Asian Institute of Technology.
102. Assistance was provided in development of coastal and inland aquaculture to China, India, Indonesia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Viet Nam; and in freshwater fish culture with special emphasis on low cost integrated fish culture systems to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Laos, Pakistan, Viet Nam, Thailand and China. Thailand and China were also assisted, with UNDP and TCP support respectively, in the development of cost efficient supplementary fish feeds. Bangladesh and Nepal were supported in strengthening the institutional background and human resources develop- ment in acquaculture. Environmental considerations are being incorporated in an increasing number of field projects where multi-sectoral interests are involved, such as forest management in Fiji, mangrove management in some countries of Asia, etc. In guidelines for planners, prepared by FAO Fisheries Department, the multiple-use of land and water resources highlights the need for active inter-sectoral collaboration during the planning and inception phases of new projects if sustainability of fish stocks and fisheries is to be achieved.
103. The IPFC Working Party of Experts on Aquaculture which met in 1988 concentrated on the development of coastal aquaculture. A regional expert consultation was organized in 1989 to promote the development of small-scale shrimp/prawn hatcheries. Studies were also carried out on the technology and economics of shrimp/prawn hatcheries in three Asian countries, viable aquaculture technologies for the Pacific Island countries, and economic and marketing constraints of shrimp culture development.
Fish Utilization and Marketing
104.
Research in fish technology supported through the network of Asian fish technology institutes was coordinated by the IPFC Working Party on Fish Technology and Marketing which met in 1988. The major emphasis was on quality control and inspection. Under the South Pacific Regional Support Programme, fish handling, processing and distribution programmes in Pacific Island countries were strengthened and support provided for the preparation
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