Global fish production is increasing yearly, reaching 171 million tons in 2016. Although capture production has been unchanged since 1990, aquaculture production has been constantly increasing. In 2016, 47% of global fish production was from aquaculture. Five APO member countries (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam) are listed in the top 10 aquaculture producers in the world, and five more (the ROC, IR Iran, Japan, the ROK, and the Philippines) are listed in the top 20. The APO collectively contributed more than one-fifth of world aquaculture production in terms of quantity. Aquaculture is an important industry in APO member countries to support local economies and the food supply.

When aquaculture was developed more than 3,000 years ago in China, freshwater species such as carp were the main products. In Europe, eels and oysters were produced in aquaculture during the Roman Empire. Today, advances in aquaculture technology have resulted in the production of a variety of fish and seafood.

This course is being organized to train a critical mass of individuals in APO member countries in acquiring with the broad guidance on future aquaculture farming, and to promote it in member countries. It will introduce hatchery technology, formulated feed, fish diseases, recirculating aquaculture and aquaponics.

The Asian Productivity Organization developed this course with the support of Dr. Shigeki Dan, Associate Professor, Dr. Katsuyuki Hamasaki, Professor, Dr. Yutaka Haga, Associate Professor, Dr. Shuichi Satoh, Professor, Dr. Motohiko Sano, Professor, Dr. Goshi Kato, Assistant Professor, and Dr. Masato Endo, Associate Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan and Dr. Sho Shirakashi, Associate Professor, Kindai University, Japan.

Course Instruction
-There are 6 modules in this course. Please start with Module 1 and complete each module in order.
-The recommended timeline to complete each module is:
Days 1-2: Module 1
Days 3-5: Module 2+Quiz 1
Days 6-7: Module 3
Days 8-10: Module 4+Quiz 2
Days 11-18: Module 5+Quiz 3
Days 19-21: Module 6+Quiz 4
Day 22: Final Examination
-To confirm your understandings, 4 quizzes are provided. Please answer the questions and check your score for self-evaluation. Please note that the quiz scores have no connection with the final exam results.
-It is recommended that you proceed to the next module only after satisfactory completion of the preceding module.
-After completing all modules, each participant should take the final exam. Remember that you are only allowed to take the final exam once. Please ensure that you have thoroughly understood all modules before taking the final exam.
-After completion of the course the APO will provide e-certificates to successful participants who pass the final exam (minimum passing score is 70%).

Course Objectives
a. To offer participants information on future aquaculture farming
b. To promote the productivity and effectiveness of aquaculture in member countries and
c. To promote aquaculture and food production while contributing to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (ending poverty in all its forms everywhere) and SDG 2 (ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture).

Important Notes:
1) Participants who register to take this course and pass the final examination with a score of 70% or higher will be eligible to receive the APO certificate. Please note that the final examination can be taken only once. Therefore, you decide when you choose to take the examination. Please note that the self-assessment quizzes are for your own evaluation and have no connection with the final examination results.
2) Participants who perform well in this course and receive the APO certificate will be given preference, on a merit basis, for selection to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO project, provided their nominations are received through the concerned NPOs and slots are available.
3) Notes 2 are applicable only to participants from APO member countries. Participants from nonmember countries are welcome to take the course for self-improvement, though they will not get an opportunity to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects.