Cooperative Research Networking to Facilitate Research and Development for the Reduction of Wastage in Shrimp Fisheries

Abstract

Because of the importance of shrimp trawling fisheries in a number of countries in Asia and the Indian Ocean region and recommendations for more research work in the field of selectivity, in particular through more cooperation between countries, a Cooperative research network in the Asia and Indian Ocean region on selective tropical shrimp trawling was initiated in December 1995 by the Fishing Technology Service of FAO. The overall objective of this on-going networking programme is: in the short term, to gather accurate information on on-going shrimp trawling and catches, data which is necessary for further improvement of the selectivity of these fisheries, and to review recent progress in the region in this field; in the medium term, to facilitate further research on the subject. Details of the activities proposed within the programme are given, as well as the expected participation for its execution. Progress, up to May 1997, is briefly reported. Activities such as field surveys in several countries and a regional workshop soon were not too difficulty to arrange. However, cooperation for research work at sea with the participation of experts from several countries is not so easy.