SEAFDEC Newsletter Vol.46 No.3

Abstract

In the third quarter of 2023, SEAFDEC conducted various notable events and one of them was the “Third Regional Technical Consultation on Fishery Statistics and Information in Southeast Asia” where the revision of the Regional Framework for Fishery Statistics of Southeast Asia was finalized. The revised Regional Framework will be further submitted to the SEAFDEC Council for approval, and subsequently to the ASEAN mechanism for notation. Another remarkable event was the “Webinar on Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture” which presented the status and challenges in genetic management in global aquaculture as well as updates on the implementation of the FAO Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Aquaculture.

In continuing the close cooperation and collaboration with regional/international organizations such as the ASEAN Secretariat, FAO, and IMCS Network to address the priority fisheries issues, SEAFDEC participated in the 13ASA, 15AFCF, and 31ASWGFi to report the progress of the implementation of several policy frameworks under the ASEAN cooperation in fisheries as well as endorsed the key findings of the 2021 baseline information for monitoring and evaluation of the RES&POA-2030. SEAFDEC also took part in the 19th Session of the COFI Sub-committee on Fish Trade to provide updates on SEAFDEC activities aimed at supporting the AMSs in addressing global fish trade-related issues. In addition, SEAFDEC also participated in the 7th Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop to present the expanding networking and cooperation at regional and international levels for combating IUU fishing in Southeast Asia.

SEAFDEC also sustained the conduct of several training and workshops including the topics on larval fish and egg identification, Google Earth Engine and oceanographic data visualization, artificial reefs development program, marine fish hatchery, eACDS application, sustainable fishery resource management tools, field guidelines for glass eel species identification, and support for small-scale fisheries.

Another culminating event of this quarter was the “SEAFDEC/AQD Golden Anniversary” celebration which showcased the remarkable five decades of the Department’s achievements in aquaculture research and development as well as the groundbreaking research initiatives, innovative technologies, and capacitybuilding programs that foster knowledge exchange and future collaboration. AQD also launched in this quarter six new aquaculture extension manuals, covering topics on the hatchery production of sea cucumber, nursery and grow-out of rabbitfish, culture of natural larval food for freshwater species, tiger shrimp hatchery operations, and nursery and grow-out of pompano in brackishwater ponds and marine cages.

At the end of the quarter, SEAFDEC bid a farewell to Ms. Malinee Smithrithee, and welcomed Dr. Suttinee Limthammahosorn as the new Secretary-General and Chief of the Training Department starting October 2023 until September 2025.