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Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute Health Management in Shrimp Ponds
That this book is in its third edition is testimony to the demand for information on shrimp health management. It is also an indication of the speed of change within the shrimp farming industry. To date, this book has been translated into at least five languages and has reached a large number of farmers and extension officers in many countries through its sales and use as a resource at training sessions. It has obviously been well received and the second edition was awarded the NAGA award from the International Centre for Living Aquatic Resource Management (ICLARM). In the past, shrimp farming has been criticised for damaging the environment and previous editions of this book have emphasised profitability through environmentally friendly and sustainable management of resources. This edition continues to argue for farming practices that are both profitable and sustainable. For example, the argument that building farms in mangrove forests is not good business practice has been expanded using recent research findings. Although shrimp farming has been seen as an activity of the relatively wealthy, low-income families have also relied on shrimp farming for income for many years. Many of these families have suffered severe hardship as a result of shrimp crop failure through disease or poor management. The previous two editions concentrated on higher investment systems, mainly due to lack of information on the lower yield systems. This edition continues to provide advice for these farmers but new information has allowed increased emphasis on less intensive systems. This information will allow fisheries officers and extension workers to improve the sustainability of lower yield systems and assist with poverty alleviation. As with previous editions, this book incorporates information from the Department for International Developments (DFID) research and development programmes in South East Asia and its production is supported by the DFID funded South East Asia Aquatic Disease Control Project (SEAADCP). It is an excellent example of research being made available in a form that will help reduce poverty. Alan Hall | ||||||||