The Federated States of Micronesia’s National Strategy on Aquatic Animal Health 2021–2024, a broad and comprehensive strategy to build and enhance capacity for the management of national aquaculture biosecurity and aquatic animal health, was developed under FAO’s Project TCP/MIC/3603/C2: “National Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Strategy”. The FSM’s NSAAH has taken into consideration a new initiative that FAO and partners have developed – the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB). The application of the NSAAH has now expanded to fit as an important element of the PMP/AB.This initial strategy document outlines 15 major Programmes that will assist in developing a national approach to overall management of national aquaculture biosecurity and aquatic animal health. To complete this draft document, the Competent Authority (the Department of Resources and Development, R&D) should review the brief summaries of key projects suggested to be of immediate high priority to be accomplished under each of the 15 Programmes, modifying or adding to these as appropriate. The R&D will also need to develop an associated Implementation Plan for the National Strategy on Aquatic Animal Health (NSAAH) that identifies the activities that must be accomplished, the responsible sector(s) (government, private sector, and/or academia), the key staff, details of each project, the time-frame and an associated budget and source of funding (government, private sector, or other source). It is expected that progress toward completion of the various Projects will be reviewed on a regular basis and, beginning in 2023, the NSAAH and its Implementation Plan will be revised and renewed on a 5-year basis. At these intervals, and as national aquaculture development and aquatic biosecurity progresses through completion of Projects, new Programmes and Projects will be added. As an evolving and living document, the NSAAH will contain the national action plans for short-, medium- and long-term phased implementation based on national priorities.The 15 Programmes included in this NSAAH for 2021–2024 are: Programme 1: Policy, Legislation and Enforcement; Programme 2: Risk Analysis; Programme 3: National Aquatic Pathogen List; Programme 4: Border Inspection and Quarantine; Programme 5: Diagnostics; Programme 6: Farm-level Biosecurity and Health Management; Programme 7: Veterinary Drugs and Avoidance of Antimicrobial Resistance; Programme 8: Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting; Programme 9: Communication and Information System; Programme 10: Emergency Preparedness and Contingency Planning; Programme 11: Research and Development; Programme 12: Institutional Structure (including Infrastructure); Programme 13: Human Resources and Institutional Capacity Development; Programme 14: Regional and International Cooperation; and Programme 15: Ecosystem Health.

The PMP/AB refers to a pathway aimed at enhancing aquaculture biosecurity by building on existing frameworks, capacity and appropriate tools using risk-based approaches and public-private sector partnerships. It is expected to result in sustainable (i) reduction in burden of diseases; (ii) improvement of aquatic health and welfare at farm, national and regional levels; (iii) minimization of global spread of diseases; (iv) optimization of socio-economic benefits from aquaculture; (v) attraction of investment opportunities into aquaculture; and (vi) achievement of One Health goals. In the context of the PMP/AB, biosecurity refers to the cost-effective management of risks posed by pathogens to aquaculture through a strategic approach at the enterprise, local-sector, national and international levels with shared public-private responsibilities. This guidance document for PMP/AB application contains the rationale, vision, mission, scope, goals and benefits of the PMP/AB. The four stages of the PMP/AB are described in detail, including the overall objectives and key outcomes to complete each stage. It also presents a general stepwise process and recommended activities for completing the different stages. The PMP/AB checklist is divided into four broad categories, namely: Sectors and Stakeholders; Aquatic Health Services; Surveillance, Monitoring and Diagnostics; and Management and Evaluation.

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2020 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.

This report documents the accomplishments of the FAO Project TCP/MIC/3603/C2 – “National Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Strategy” that was implemented in 2019 for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). These include the following: (i) Round-table discussions on aquaculture development, biosecurity legislation, aquatic animal health and aquaculture biosecurity (21–22 May 2019); (ii) Technical Seminar on Basic Aquatic Animal Health and Aquaculture Biosecurity (23 May 2019); (iii) National Consultation on Aquaculture Development, Biosecurity Legislation, Aquatic Animal Health (24 May 2019); and (iv) Introductory training course on risk analysis within the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB) (27–28 May 2019). The various activities undertaken during the field mission provided the basis for drafting the National Strategy on Aquatic Animal Health (NSAAH) and the National Aquatic Pathogen List (NAPL) for FSM. There is a need to conduct another round of national consultations in order to generate feedback prior to finalizing the documents and approval. The next step will be to incorporate them into the government’s policy documents and work with partners for joint resource mobilization to support implementation. The report also contains a list of recommendations that the Government of FSM should consider to improve capacities in aquatic animal health and aquaculture biosecurity.