SEAFDEC Newsletter Vol.43 No.1

Abstract

For the first quarter of 2020, one of the highlighted events was the onset of Phase II of the project on tropical anguillid eel, supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). This Phase II focuses on the development of methods for assessment of tropical anguillid eel resources.

SEAFDEC also continued to conduct several workshops and trainings including the Practical Workshop on Stock and Risk Assessments of Longtail Tuna and Kawakawa in Southeast Asia to confirm and verify the status of stocks of neritic tunas in the waters of Southeast Asia, and came up with recommendations on the management of neritic tunas. In addition, the Regional Workshop on Gender Integration in Fisheries was organized to develop the module for Gender LEAD, and share experiences and lessons learned in gender integration initiatives in the fisheries sector in Southeast Asia. The Technical Ad-hoc Meeting on Marine Debris was organized to establish and strengthen the marine debris research networks; and the Training Course on Inland Fishing Gears was also organized to enhance understanding on the need to conduct baseline survey on inland fishing gears, and analyze the results of the survey.

During this quarter, several activities were conducted by SEAFDEC/AQD including the study on new species of soil-cleaning worm which has the ability to eat decomposed feed from aquaculture and has the potential as food for crab and shrimp breeders; upgrading of the feed mill facilities to boost production of low-cost aquaculture feeds; developing of techniques to double crablet production; providing recommendations on backyard catfish farming; addressing the perennial shortage of milkfish fry; and establishing the hatchery technology for mackerel tuna (kawakawa) farming.

In addition, SEAFDEC continues to play a key role in capacity building of AMSs and strengthening of collaborations with various organizations and agencies through the participation in international and regional fora, which served as platforms for formulation of solutions toward sustainability in fisheries sectors in Southeast Asian region.

Moreover, SEAFDEC welcomed Dr. Toshiya Suzuki as the new Deputy Chief and Japanese Trust Fund Co-manager of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD, succeeding Dr. Takuro Shibuno who served as the Deputy Chief and Japanese Trust Fund Co-manager of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD for two years.