SEAFDEC approach towards responsible fisheries

Abstract

SEAFDEC was established in 1967 mandated to carry out development in fisheries in Southeast Asia. There are ten member nations. The development of fisheries is addressed through four departments whose disciplines cover Capture Fisheries, Aquaculture, Post Harvest Technology and Fisheries Management. All departments are coordinated by a Secretariat. The decline in fisheries resources has led SEAFDEC into a program on the Regionalization of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (RCCRF) with the objective of securing sustainable fisheries in the region. This emphasizes the networking of regional experts in various disciplines. The regionalization process has four phases; fishing operations; aquaculture, fisheries management and fisheries post harvest activities. The departments have implemented all the major tasks and the first phase has been successfully completed with the Regional Guidelines for Responsible Fishing Operations in Southeast Asia. The programs of phases II, III and IV are ongoing and publication of these is planned for early 2002.