Preliminary Results on the Large Pelagic Fisheries Resources Survey in the Andaman Sea

Abstract

In response to the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region, SEAFDEC/TD has formulated a project proposal for harvesting of under-utilized resources since 2003. The main objective is to investigate the potential of under-exploited fisheries resources and promote their exploitation in a precautionary manner based upon analysis of the best available scientific information. Regarding this, TD had conducted the large pelagic fisheries resources survey in the Andaman Sea, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia from 14-26 November 2004 using MV SEAFDEC, one month before Tsunami occurred in the outside of Andaman Sea. The preliminary results on the large pelagic fisheries resources survey in the Andaman Sea is one of the technical outcome that point out various scope of research works such as large pelagic resources, fishery oceanography, primary production, fishery biology and nutrients. The outcomes of this study are considered to help a better understanding of the existence and distribution of large commercial pelagic species in the Andaman Sea. On behalf of SEAFDEC, I should like to express my deepest appreciation to the Department of Fisheries Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia that have collaborated with SEAFDEC on the joint survey. Hopefully, the publication will provide useful information and could contribute to the management and development of fishery sectors in the region.