International
Consultation on Development Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture in Asian Lakes and Reservoirs
IHB’s deputy director Prof. XU Xudong gave a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the Consultation on Development Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture in Asian Lakes and Reservoirs.
The Consultation on Development Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture in Asian Lakes and Reservoirs was held in Wuhan during September 20 and 23.
The objective of the consultation is to bring together different experiences in fisheries management and aquaculture developments in Asian lakes and reservoirs, and to document important case studies for scientific and development purposes in the Asian region and elsewhere.
The opening ceremony was held at the main conference hall at Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IHB) on September 20. IHB’s deputy director Prof. XU Xudong gave a welcome speech and WANG Zhaomin, director general of Hubei Fisheries Bureau, introduced the status of fisheries development in Hubei Province.
IHB Prof. LI Zhongjie gave a keynote speech at the Consultation on Development Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture in Asian Lakes and Reservoirs.
As keynote addresses, IHB Prof. LI Zhongjie made a presentation entitled “Development and reform of lake and reservoir fisheries in China”, Prof. Sena S De Silva, director general of the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific (NACA), made a presentation entitled "Importance of reservoirs and lakes in food fish production in Asia” and Prof. CHANG Jianbo, director general of Institute of Hydroecology, Ministry of Water Resources and Chinese Academy of Sciences, made a presentation entitled "Successful stimulation of gonad maturation of freshwater reared Acipenser sinensis by controlling annual temperature pattern”.
The consultation was divided into six sessions, attempting to deal with the following issues: 1. brief synthesis of lake and reservoir fisheries and aquaculture in the leading countries; 2. under exploited lake and reservoir fish populations; 3. status of stock enhancement in lake and reservoir fisheries in the region; 4. integrated water and catchment management; 5. application of ecosystem approach to lake and reservoir fisheries management; 6. role of alien species in lake and reservoir fisheries and in aquaculture; 7. cultured based fisheries; 8. innovations in aquaculture practices in lakes and reservoirs; 9. major policy changes required to enhance lake and reservoir fisheries and sustainable aquaculture practices; 10. climate change and water constraints in selected countries.
Some of the current trends in fisheries and aquaculture in inland waters, in particular lakes and reservoirs in Asia, are unknown to many. Research and development issues in regard to these are not extensively subject to scientific discussions and evaluation at suitable fora. The consultation served as a platform to let participants share thoughts and experiences from one another and seek cooperative opportunities in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture.
During the consultation, participants had a field trip to Baiji Dolphinarium and Demonstration of Crab Harvest which is located in Liangzi Lake. They positively commented on the ecological fishery pattern adopted in Liangzi Lake and hoped that the pattern of ecological fishery and aquaculture can be promoted in Asian lakes and reservoirs so as to realized the harmony of fishery development and water environment protection. 
Participants from various countries shared thoughts and experiences from one another and sought cooperative opportunities in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture.
The consultation was organized by the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific (NACA) in conjunction with Icelandic International Development Agency, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IHB), Institute of Hydroecology, Ministry of Water Resources and Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, and World-HSBC Climate Change Partnership. 92 scientists, planners and policy makers associated with fisheries management and aquaculture developments in Asian lakes and reservoirs attended this consultation. They are mainly from Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
