Summary of AQUAFISH Project Progress University of Michigan Shanghai Fisheries University Hainan University Huazhong Agricultural University Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science University of Agriculture and Forestry Wuhan University

Improving sustainability and reducing environmental impacts of aquaculture systems in China, and South and Southeast Asia

UM Team James Diana – University of Michigan, USA Yang Yi – Shanghai Fisheries University, China Wang Weimin - Huazhong Agricultural University, China Le Thanh Hung – University of Agriculture and Forest, Vietnam Lai Qiuming – Hainan University, China Song Biyu – Wuhan University, China Madhav K. Shrestha – Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Nepal

1. Impact of introduction of alien species on the fisheries and biodiversity of indigenous species in Zhanghe Reservoir of China and Tri An Reservoir of Vietnam Objectives: –To investigate the changes in population structure of indigenous fish species after the introduction of alien species in the reservoirs; –To compare reservoirs in China with and without presence of exotic icefish;

1. Impact of introduction of alien species on the fisheries and biodiversity of indigenous species in Zhanghe Reservoir of China and Tri An Reservoir of Vietnam UAF –Collected secondary data –Started collecting primary data HAU –Collected secondary data –Will start to collect primary data

2. Assessing effectiveness of current waste management practices for intensive freshwater and marine pond aquaculture in China Objectives: To identify and quantify existing management practices to reduce effluent and solid waste pollution used by intensive freshwater and marine farmers; To quantify nutrient loading rates, nutrient budgets, sediment accumulation of nutrients, and release of nutrients in effluents for intensive ponds, utilizing different waste management strategies; To determine the best current methods for pollution mitigation in intensive pond aquaculture; To inform small-scale pond farmers about waste management in order to build a consensus on management and to develop more effective government policies.

2. Assessing effectiveness of current waste management practices for intensive freshwater and marine pond aquaculture in China HAU  Completed survey of 120 carp farms HNU  Completed survey of 100 shrimp farms;  Completed survey of 100 tilapia farms SFU  Selected Chinese Catfish farms

3. Determining the ecological footprint of shrimp aquaculture through life cycle analysis of outdoor pond systems Objectives – Perform LCA and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) for an outdoor, flushed pond shrimp aquaculture system. – Develop mass balance models of the shrimp aquaculture system to make it possible to evaluate methods to improve the economics and reduce the environmental impacts of the system.

3. Determining the ecological footprint of shrimp aquaculture through life cycle analysis of outdoor pond systems An UM PhD student (Miss Cao Ling) is conducting the research in Hainan.

4. Monitoring and reducing microcystins in tilapias and channel catfish cultured in a variety of aquaculture systems Objectives: Determine the content of microcystins in aquaculture ponds/tanks at different levels of intensification and different culture environments; Evaluate body burdens of microcystins in the flesh of tilapia cultured under different systems Test possible depuration strategies to eliminate microcystins from the flesh of cultured tilapias.

4. Monitoring and reducing microcystins in tilapias and channel catfish cultured in a variety of aquaculture systems Under planning.

5. Polyculture of sahar (Tor putitora) with mixed-sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Objectives To assess growth and production of Nile tilapia and sahar at different stocking ratios of sahar; To assess the appropriate stocking ratio of sahar to control recruitment of tilapia; To develop the appropriate tilapia-sahar polyculture system for farmers.

5. Polyculture of sahar (Tor putitora) with mixed-sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) On-station trial is conducted as schedule, starting on 14 Oct 2007.

6. Workshop on Aquaculture, Human Health and Environment Objectives: To present the research results of AFCRSP; To share the experience in research related to aquaculture, human health and environment; To establish links between AFCRSP host institutions and other institutions in the region.

6. Workshop on Aquaculture, Human Health and Environment The workshop is scheduled in August 2009.