Report of the First Meeting of the Andaman Sea sub-region

Abstract

The First Meeting of the Andaman Sea Sub-region was organized by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) with support the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in Phuket, Thailand from 20 to 22 October 2009. The Meeting aimed to provide a venue to explore options to lay the foundation for the introduction of larger fisheries resources conservation areas (refugias) by initiating a dialogue with the countries around the Andaman Sea as well as promoting collaboration among agencies and organizations working on fisheries, environment and marine and coastal resources management in the Andaman Sea, and review and provide action-oriented recommendations in the Andaman Sea context on key issues of regional concern such as habitat management, fishing capacity, IUU fisheries, vessel registration, among others. Main parts of the discussions during the meeting will be reflected in sections on recommendations after each thematic issue.