Regional fisheries statistics of the Southeast Asian region

Abstract

The paper introduces briefly SEAFDEC's planned strategies and actions for improving fishery statistics and its systems in the Southeast Asian countries in light of development and management of sustainable fisheries with emphasis on management of shared stocks. It was also emphasized that strengthening of national fishery statistical systems as well as sustainable data collection systems should be promoted as the long term approach for management of sustainable use of shared stocks in the region. The need of a sustainable data collection should not be limited to individual countries only, but likewise the prospect of having and integrated fishery statistical system among the countries of this region. The paper also outlines the strategies and actions required for improvement of fishery statistics, including notes on strengthening of national fishery statistical systems, promotion of data exchange and regionally comparable data systems, development of human resources at various levels, and coordination and collaboration among the member countries and concerned agencies.