Progress of On-Going Projects ACRSP – UM/AIT Team

1. On-farm trials of integrated cage-cum-pond culture systems On-farm trial of integrated cage-cum-pond culture systems with high-valued climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) in cages and carps in ponds in Bangladesh On-farm trial of integrated cage-cum-pond culture systems with high-valued African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in cages and carps in ponds in Nepal On-farm trial of integrated cage-cum-pond culture systems with high-valued climing perch (Anabas testudineus) in cages and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in ponds in Vietnam Progress: completed

2. Establishment of links with Chinese institutions in collaboration on aquaculture and environmental impacts Objectives Objectives –To establish links with Chinese institutions for future ACRSP research; –To identify potential ACRSP sites in China –To conduct preliminary site evaluation; –To identify environmental problems caused by aquaculture/fisheries activities and develop researchable topics. Progress: Completed

3. Impact of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) introduction on the indigenous fish species of Bangladesh and Nepal Objectives Objectives –To assess the impact of the introduction of mixed-sex and male mono-sex Nile tilapia on three important indigenous fish species of Bangladesh and Nepal. This study consists of three experiments, and has been mainly conducted by Mr. S. A. Shameem Ahmad, PhD student supported by ACRSP.

3. Impact of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) introduction on the indigenous fish species of Bangladesh and Nepal Three experiments: Three experiments: –Experiment 1: conducted in nine 100 m 2 earthen ponds at BAU to assess the impact of mixed-sex and male mono- sex Nile tilapia on mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), chela (Chela cachius) and punti (Puntius sophore). –Experiment 2: conducted at BAU to assess the impact of mixed-sex Nile tilapia on mola, chela and punti in simulated open water environments. –Experiment 3: conducted at IAAS to assess the impact of mixed-sex and male mono-sex Nile tilapia on Puntius sophore, Esomus danricus and Barilius barna. Progress: on-going

4. New paradigm in farming of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) with closed and recycle systems Three surveys Three surveys –Bangladesh, conducted by Md. Asad, MSc student –Thailand, conducted by Ms Vicki, UM MSc student –Vietnam, conducted by a group of staff. Progress: Report writing Progress: Report writing Publications: Publications: –GAA Magazine: Bangladesh and Thailand Surveys

5. Optimization of phosphorus fertilization regime in fertilized Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) ponds with supplemental feed Objectives Objectives –To determine effects of different rates of phosphorus fertilizer application on Nile tilapia production, pond water quality parameters and nutrient utilization efficiency under supplemental feeding, –To evaluate the cost and return of Nile tilapia production. Conducted by a AIT MSc student Miss Moe Thidar Oo. Conducted by a AIT MSc student Miss Moe Thidar Oo. Progress: completed Progress: completed

6. Use of rice straw as a resource for freshwater pond culture Objectives Objectives –to investigate the role of rice straw in fish ponds –to develop a low cost aquaculture system using rice straw to enhance fish production through reduced turbidity as well as enhanced biofilm and periphyton development. Four experiments conducted in BAU and AIT Four experiments conducted in BAU and AIT Conducted by a Bangladesh MSc student Mr. Shahabuddin at AIT and Nepalese PhD student Mrs. Rai Sunila at BAU. Conducted by a Bangladesh MSc student Mr. Shahabuddin at AIT and Nepalese PhD student Mrs. Rai Sunila at BAU. Progress: completed Progress: completed

7. Student exchange program to strengthen capacity in environmental studies of aquaculture in China Student exchange from UM to HNU, Hainan of China: Ms Lauren Theodore – UM MSc student Ms Lauren Theodore – UM MSc student –Working with a group of undergraduate students in HNU. Conducted research on: Integrated shrimp/Gracilaria culture in Hainan province of China Conducted research on: Integrated shrimp/Gracilaria culture in Hainan province of China –Survey –Field measurements Progress: thesis / report writing Progress: thesis / report writing

Abalone – Gracilaria – Shrimp or Shrimp – Gracilaria - Shrimp

7. Student exchange program to strengthen capacity in environmental studies of aquaculture in China Student exchange from HAU (Wuhan, China) to AIT: Miss Cao Ling – MSc student at HAU Miss Cao Ling – MSc student at HAU Conducted research on application of phytase in Nile tilapia feed Conducted research on application of phytase in Nile tilapia feed –Pre-treatment of plant feedstuff using phytase –Apparent digestibility of Nile tilapia fed the all-plant diet prepared by phytase pre-treated plant feedstuff –Phytase replacement of dicalcium phosphate in all-plant diets for Nile tilapia Progress: Progress: –An article “Application of microbial phytase in fish feed” has been published in Enzyme and Microbial Technology –An article “Effects of pretreatment in all-plant feedstuff with microbial phytase on phosphorous utilization and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)” has been submitted to Aquaculture Nutrition.

8. Aquaculture CRSP sponsorship of the Second International Symposium on Cage Aquaculture in Asia Organized a session on environmental impacts and management, which was co-chaired by Jim and Kwei; Organized a session on environmental impacts and management, which was co-chaired by Jim and Kwei; Provide travel grants to five invited speakers – CRSP PIs; Provide travel grants to five invited speakers – CRSP PIs; Provided travel grants to four Chinese researchers including one MSc student; Provided travel grants to four Chinese researchers including one MSc student; Gave three ACRSP Environment Awards Gave three ACRSP Environment Awards Gave three ACRSP Best Student Paper Awards Gave three ACRSP Best Student Paper Awards

9. Promoting environmentally-friendly integrated cage- cum-pond culture systems On-going Preparing a manual; Preparing a manual; Preparing brochures in Bangladeshi, Nepalese and Vietnamese; Preparing brochures in Bangladeshi, Nepalese and Vietnamese; Planning 3 one-day workshops in Bangladesh, Nepal and Vietnam in April/May. Planning 3 one-day workshops in Bangladesh, Nepal and Vietnam in April/May.

10. Student research to assess environmental impacts of cage aquaculture in Tong An Bay in Fujan province of China On-going Objectives: Objectives: –To investigate the integrated cage/seaweed culture system, –To investigate the environmental conditions in Mei Zhou bay for cage culture, –To assess the potential effects of seaweed on reuse of nutrients derived from cage culture, –To enhance the environmental awareness of undergraduate and graduate students, farmers and local government staff. Location changed to Mei Zhou Bay; Location changed to Mei Zhou Bay; XMU MSc student (Miss Cai A-Yuan) thesis research, Xiamen, China XMU MSc student (Miss Cai A-Yuan) thesis research, Xiamen, China

10. Student research to assess environmental impacts of cage aquaculture in Tong An Bay in Fujan province of China