This paper reviews development research and policies on freshwater fish in South and Southeast Asia. We conduct a systematic review of academic literature from three major science-based policy institutions to analyze development research and policies that have accompanied the ongoing transition from freshwater capture fisheries to aquaculture in the region. Using a ‘food fish system’ framework allows for the identification and systematic comparison of assumptions underpinning dominant development policies.

Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) is one of the primary disease concerns for tilapia farming, with mass mortality events and biosecurity restrictions threating aquaculture in several continents. Selective breeding for improved host resistance to TiLV may help to mitigate this problematic disease, but the extent of genetic variation in resistance is not yet known. The objective of the current study was to estimate genetic parameters for host resistance to TiLV in a Nile tilapia breeding population of the Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain.

The vast development opportunities offered by the world’s coasts and oceans have attracted the attention of governments, private enterprises, philanthropic organizations and international conservation organizations. High-profile dialogue and policy decisions on ocean futures are informed largely by economic and ecological research. Key insights from the social sciences raise concerns for food and nutrition security, livelihoods and social justice but these have yet to gain traction with investors and the policy discourse on transforming ocean governance.