ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an assessment of the aquaculture resources and the ways in which they are utilized and managed in tropical Asia. It also discusses the biological, physical and socio-cultural factors that affect their sustainability and also act as constraints on the development of these resources. A variety of aquaculture production systems exist in tropical Asia. Integrated aquaculture-agriculture farming systems involving fish, crop and livestock production are also widespread. A variety of aquaculture production systems occur in the region. These include the culture of fishes and crustaceans in ponds, pens and cages in brackish-, fresh- and marine waters; mollusc and seaweed culture in coastal marine waters; and integrated aquaculture-agriculture farming systems in inland areas. In addition, more than 6 million ha of brackishwater estuaries and freshwater areas could be developed for aquaculture. The pen culture of milkfish in a freshwater lake was first demonstrated in the Philippines in the early 1970s.
