Despite economic growth across Southeast Asia, undernutrition remains a critical issue in rural areas of Indochina, particularly in countries such as Laos and Cambodia. High rates of child stunting and anemia among women are closely linked to limited access to animal protein and essential micronutrients. Community-based production and provision of nutrients is a promising approach to alleviate undernutrition.
    
There is a clear need for aquaculture models based on small indigenous fish species (SIS), which are not only nutritionally effective and economically feasible for rural populations but also contribute to fishery sustainability. Despite the large number of indigenous fish species distributed throughout inland Southeast Asia, detailed biological and ecological information remains limited and is often fragmented. This lack of knowledge has become a critical bottleneck for effective and sustainable fishery development and aquaculture promotion in this region.

Drawing on field-based case studies, this report examines the development of context-appropriate sustainable management practices for inland fishery resources and practical low-cost aquaculture systems to improve the nutrition and livelihoods of economically disadvantaged communities. A case study of selective fishing and overharvesting of inland fisheries presents the extent of SIS resource depletion in the region, underscoring the urgent need for targeted resource management, while fermentation, a traditional method of preservation, is presented as a promising practice to prevent post-harvest loss of SIS while offering value addition, extended shelf life, and enhanced nutritional quality. In addition to inland fisheries, this report illustrates rice-fish farming, which takes advantage of the local environment, and case studies in Laos indicate the conditions necessary for the profitability of pond-based aquaculture. The report also details the potential of alternative feed sources, such as black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, to improve the economic feasibility and sustainability of small-scale aquaculture, as a substitute for imported feed.

Together, these strategies form an integrated framework for sustainable aquaculture and conservation of SIS. By aligning nutritional goals with ecological sustainability and rural economic feasibility, they offer scalable solutions for sustainable SIS fisheries and aquaculture in inland Southeast Asia.