Fifty-four participants from 20 countries representing national/research institutions in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, non-govermental organizations and regional/international organizations held an Expert Consultation on Ecological Risk Assessment of Genetically Improved Fish during 4-6 August 2003 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, under the auspices of the International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture. The participants discussed the benefits and potential risks of improved fish strains, initiated development of guidelines for the environmentally safe dissemination of improved fish strains and a framework for risk assessment. Based on the deliberations at the meeting, the participants formulated the Dhaka declaration.