Sustainable Utilization of Potential Fisheries Resources and Reduction of Post-harvest Losses

( 2006 -2008 )

1. INTRODUCTION

Regarding fisheries resources in Southeast Asian Region is currently heavily exploited. Most of these fisheries resources were harvested in the coastal zone or offshore area where the depth of waters lesser than 100m. Consideration for the geo-topographic features in the region found that more than 50% of the sea area is classified as deep sea and most of our fishers in the region have not utilized yet. It is expected that many potential resources such as in the untrawlable areas, sea mounts, and deep sea basins are existing in the many seas in the Southeast Asian region. This is why SEAFDEC/TD proposed to identify these potential resources in cooperation with member countries. The activities will be conducted/ developed together with development of appropriate technology.

In addition, to maximize the utilization of resources as well as to reduce the post harvest losses, developing of the appropriate fish handling technology is one of the important issues to support the sustainable utilization of potential. As it was found that onboard fish handling and preservation techniques are main problems in many member countries which need to be developed. In member countries, there are different designs of fishing boat and different fish handing technologies, SEAFDEC will look for appropriate and low cost technology for fishermen to solve the problem of fish freshness/quality. Technology transfer to member countries will be one of the activities.

2. OBJECTIVES

     •  To investigate the potential of under-utilized fisheries resources and promote their exploitation in a precautionary manner based upon analysis of the best available scientific information through development of appropriate technology.
     •  To develop and promote capacity building for deep sea fishing in off shore areas particularly in untrawlable grounds, sea mounts, and deep sea basins.
     •  To promote the maximum utilization of catch through better onboard fish handling to increase fish supply and improve economic return.
     •  To develop and promote capacity building for onboard fish handling technology and methods.

3. ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2008

Planning for the project and activities (project/activity title and its short description) to be implemented in the year 2008 and the expected outcomes

Activity 1: Workshop and Consultation

The Workshop for evaluation on the potential resources of some economically species on the un-trawlable grounds in the Andaman Sea will be organized. The new findings on the potential fisheries resources in the Andaman sea, relative abundance of some economically species and reporting will be discussed for further drafting of the final report.

Activity 2: Supporting of Actual Survey, Data Collection, Data Management System and Data Analysis

The collaborative research survey on potential of under-utilized resources in member countries will be conducted in cooperation with the national research program of each member country using of MV SEAFDEC2 (under the cost-shared policy for mv SEAFDEC2) or other national research vessel(s). The survey areas will be focused in the EEZ of member countries and/or trans-bordering areas particularly in un-trawlable grounds. The results from the surveys will be analyzed at the national and regional levels.

Assist member countries on data analysis which related on the fisheries resources on un-trawlable grounds topic as supplementary information for regional analysis and findings.

Data management system for un-trawlable fishery resources for better management in long term will be developed through the discussion with member countries during the semi-workshop.

Human resources development for research work on un-trawlable grounds by specific fishing gears is one of the aim to transfer know-how to SEAFDEC member countries for future implementation through the ship board training/actual survey by MV SEAFDEC2 in member countries.

Activity 3: Develop and promote fishing and fish handling techniques for reduction of post harvest losses

Developing and improving of fishing techniques such as eel pot, shrimp trap, bottom longline for harvesting of under-utilized resources in the un-trawlable grounds.

Experiment of the fish handling and preservation technique particularly high value fishes from un-trawlable grounds will be conducted on the local fishing vessel and research vessels such as mvSEAFDEC2 or others. On-site workshop to promote appropriated fishing techniques and at sea fish handling and preservation technology to the member countries related to the project will also be particularly conducted in linkage with the Se-mi workshop as mentioned in Act. 1.  

Activity 4: Production of information packages

Information dissemination though publication and SEAFDEC web-site as are follows:

     •  Guide book for onboard fish handling and preservation technique for squid and high value fishes

     •  Potential resources of some economically species on the un-trawlable grounds in the Andaman Sea

     •  Guide book for responsible fishing technology: Trap, Bottom Longline and its fishing grounds in the Southeast Asian

     •  Others CD materials/information package

Expected Outcome:

     1. Evaluation of the potential resources of some economically species on the un-trawlable grounds in the Andaman Sea covered three countries namely Indonesia , Thailand and Myanmar through the collaborative research program using MV SEAFDEC2 and other research vessels

     2. Development and promotion of the appropriated/responsible fishing gears and practices for harvesting of the fisheries resources on the un-trawlable grounds such as trap and bottom longline,

     3. Workshop on potential resources of some economically species on the un-trawlable grounds in the Andaman Sea (three countries and SEAFDEC are involved)

     4. Develop of the appropriated fish handling at sea to reduce the post-harvest losses

     5. Human capacity building on research works concerning harvesting of fish resources on un-trawlable grounds .