There was twelve staff from International Justice Mission (IJM) Foundation, Thailand visited the SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) on 8 November 2019. The SEAFDEC and Department role and implementation activities were introduced through the introduction of fishing gear technology and fishing vessel also discussed. The visitors observed SEAFDEC/TD facilities, especially M.V.Pralang which is a prototype of the fishing vessel to raise awareness of the overall best fishing practice ensuring the crew safety, health, work, and their living conditions are being provided in an acceptable manner.  The IJM Foundation is a global organization with a plan to eliminate the slave trade.

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The SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) organized “The Regional Training Course on Fish Handling Techniques Applicable to Various Fishing Operations in Southeast Asia” from 4 to 8 November 2019 at SEAFDEC/TD, Samut Prakan, Thailand. There were seven participants (6 males and 1 female) who relevant work experience on fish handling and can be a trainer in the future from the ASEAN Member States attended in this Training. The Training aimed to provide technical knowledge on fish handling techniques applicable to various fishing operations in Southeast Asia through imparted knowledge on the importance of hygiene, cleanliness and important key factors contributing to the reduction of post-harvest losses on-board. The subjects of the training included literature review, demonstration, and discussion of good practice for fish handling techniques on-board, fish storage, and ways to improve fresh quality at landing site using simple technique applied to various fisheries in the Southeast Asian region. Moreover, the appropriate and applicable methods for the reduction of post-harvest loss of coastal and offshore fishing vessels and maintaining the freshness of the catch thereby minimizing post-harvest losses were imparted. In the end, all participants expected to enhance knowledge and practical skills on the reduction of post-harvest losses which will help reinforce extension and promotion activities in their respective countries through improving awareness of hygiene and good practice of fish handling on-board.

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The Regional Workshop on Lessons Learned from Application of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Different Learning Sites was convened from 7 to 8 October 2019 at Windsor Suites Hotel Bangkok, Thailand. There were 28 participants (13 women and 15 men). The workshop was attended by SEAFDEC Secretariat (SEAFDEC/SEC), SEAFDEC Training Department, (SEAFDEC/TD) and representatives from SEAFDEC Member Countries, namely; Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam, as well as SEAFDEC Partners, viz The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans), and MIE University of Japan.

The workshop presented the summary of progress in promoting and implementing the EAFM in the region through the conduct of 24 training courses which was attended by more than 500 fisheries officers and key stakeholders. They have five (5) EAFM learning sites, namely: 1) Thathing Township, Mon state in Myanmar, 2) Prek Thnot Commune, Teok Chhou District, Kampot Province in Cambodia, 3) Pak Kradang, Bolicumsei in Lao PDR, 4) Bunglaharn, Chaiyaphom Province in Thailand, and 5) Ban Nai Nang, Krabi Province in Thailand. The workshop also reiterated that SEAFDEC/TD, in collaboration with USAID/NOAA, has revised the E-EAFM module to compile the case studies and updated information, while acknowledging the efforts made by SEAFDEC/TD in improving the EAFM course.

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Two (2) staff from the SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) who conducts in combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing project participated in “The Regional Workshop on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Analytics from 4 to 8 November 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This Workshop was organized by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF), Malaysia. There were forty participants from Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and ASEAN Member States (AMSs) exclude Singapore through other organizations such as SEAFDEC/TD, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) attended in this Workshop. The workshop focused on increasing awareness of modern data-driven approaches to identifying IUU related issues, including the use of risk modeling to identify likely violations, and potential enforcement action. The process improved oversight of fishing activities across the Southeast Asian region through efficiency for MCS staff at national and regional fisheries management bodies bringing together relevant personnel’s across the region which will help develop a strong cohesive regional network of fishery analysts, information sharing, and foster regional cooperation in the future.

Furthermore, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an independent Australian federal government agency responsible for scientific research. Its chief role is to improve the economic and social performance of industry for the benefit of the community. Moreover, CSIRO works with leading organizations around the world. From its headquarters in Canberra, CSIRO maintains more than 50 sites across Australia and in France, Chile and the United States, employing about 5500 people. Federally funded scientific research began in Australia 103 years ago. The Advisory Council of Science and Industry was established in 1916 but was hampered by insufficient available finance. In 1926, the research effort was reinvigorated by the establishment of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which strengthened national science leadership and increased research funding. CSIR grew rapidly and achieved significant early successes. In 1949, further legislated changes included re-naming the organization as CSIRO.

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