E-Newsletter December 2012
31 Jan, 2013

FROM THE EDITOR

I wish all the members and readers a Very Happy, Healthy and Productive 2013.

The year 2012 ended on a very sad note with the sudden and untimely death of Dr. M.C. Nandeesha, President of the Indian Branch and Councilor of AFS. Till the time of his death, he was also Chair of Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF), Member of Oversight Committee of Best Aquaculture Practices of the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) and Team Member of Global Initiative for Life and Leadership through Aquaculture (GILLS). He was the mastermind behind the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Indian Branch held in December 2012. In one of the mails just before his hospitalization he indicated that probably he is the only Indian to participate in all 9 triennial fora of AFS. It is a great loss to the fisheries sector. An obituary and tribute to him is in this issue.

The Indian Branch celebrated its Silver Jubilee by organizing a global conference on “Aquatic Resources for Eradicating Hunger and Malnutrition – Opportunities and Challenges” in Mangalore, India during 3 to 6 December 2012. In this connection, the Branch has brought out a special publication with articles by specialists from various parts of the world on various issues that constrain the use of aquatic resources for alleviating malnutrition. A special publication entitled "Fish Deep, Think Deeper” has been brought out that gives the history of the Branch in the last 25 years. Hopefully, the Indian Branch will put these publications on its website for information of all. A detailed report with recommendations from the Conference is included in this issue.

Gender in Fisheries and Aquaculture is one of the areas where AFS is taking the lead and bringing to national, regional and global attention the contribution of women to the sector and the scant importance the gender issues receive. Dr. Meryl Williams has provided a review of the activities that have taken place during 2012 and the increasing number of visitors to the website (Genderaquafish.org) indicates the importance this subject is receiving. Looks like 2013 is going to be an exciting year with preparations going well for GAF4 being organized along with 10AFAF in April 2013.
2013 might see the first genetically engineered (GE) animal, the Atlantic salmon being considered for approval for dissemination. US-FDA’s preliminary finding is that an approval of the application for dissemination of AquAdvantage Salmon produced by AquaBounty Technologies of USA, under the specific conditions proposed in the application would not have a significant impact (FONSI) on the US environment. FDA is seeking comments from the public on its draft environmental assessment.

2013 is going to be a busy year with scheduled 10th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (10AFAF), 4th International Symposium on Cage Aquaculture in Asia (CAA4) and 4th Global Symposium on Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries (GAF4) scheduled for April 30 to May 4 in Yeosu, Korea.

Young Scientists, who are interested in applying for AFS-Kanajawa Research Fellowship, please note that the last date for submission of application is 31 January 2013.

I once again invite all the members, Councilors and Branches to share information on their work and issues through the newsletter.

	AFS Newsletter Issue No. 15 Dec 2012