Concerning that many of onboard fish handling and preservation techniques in small-scale and commercial scale fishing boats of the Southeast Asian region are still in the developing stage. Nevertheless, the demands of fish and living aquatic animal have gradually increased particular for the human fish food. It is therefore, program of activities under this project aims to improve quality of catch onboard fishing boats through reduction of the post-harvest losses. Beneficiaries of this project are mainly small- and medium-scale fishing operators and fishery officials concerned with post-harvest technology. Activities under this project include onsite training program and capacity building for fishing vessels, including squid fishing boats, purse seiners, longliners, etc.

There is potential to develop new fisheries and expand currently under-exploited fisheries resources including aquatic animals living on un-trawlable ground in the Southeast Asian waters. However there is insufficient knowledge for supporting their full extent and status. Reasons for these stocks not being exploited to maximum potential are wide and vary, and include difficulties in harvesting and processing the resource, lack of suitable harvesting methodologies and lack of market demand. To supplement the achievement of the utilization of these resources, onboard and on-shore post-harvest technologies are also required. It is therefore, a set of the program and activities under this project include R&D for the un-trawlable fishery resources and post-harvest technologies.

          1. Conduct and support the actual survey for better understanding on the potential fisheries resources living in the un-trawlable grounds in the Southeast Asian waters through collaborative research program using MV SEAFDEC 2 and other research vessels;

          2. Carry out research and development program on appropriate fishing gear and practices for sustainable development and management of the fisheries resources focusing on the un-trawlable grounds of the Southeast Asian waters;

          3. Carry out research and development on environmental and users friendly post-harvest technology for reduction of the post-harvest losses for improving quality of catch through a better at-sea fish handling techniques;
          4. Transfer appropriate technologies for reduction of the post-harvest losses; and

          5. Disseminate information on the potential resources on un-trawlable grounds and onboard post-harvested techniques.
          

The project will be implemented through the following activities and sub-activities:

 Activity 1: Data Collection on Fishery Resources

The joint research survey on capability of under-utilized resources of un-trawlable ground in the EEZ of the Member Countries will be conducted in close collaboration with national research programs by using MV SEAFDEC2 and/or by other research vessels. The result of the survey will be analyzed at the national/regional levels. It is the matter of fact that budget for carry out marine resource survey is costly, data and information will be collected through other sources instead if actual survey could not be conducted. It includes information from participation of the staff to relevant meetings/workshops, or by the literature review.

Activity plan for this activity includes consultation visit, and fishery resources survey and data collection through actual survey or from the meeting/workshop to be organized by SEAFDEC or by other relevant initiatives.

Activity 2: R&D on Appropriate Sampling Gears, and Environmental/Users Friendly Fish Handling Techniques

To explore the under-utilized resources in the un-trawlable grounds, R&D on suitable fishing/sampling gears (i.e. deep-sea traps, hook-and-line, etc.), fishing operation techniques, and instrument and machineries will be continued to carry out by using MV SEAFDEC2 and or by other research vessels. In addition, environmental/users friendly fish handling and preservation techniques, in particular for the high value species from un-trawlable grounds. Sea trial for testing and promoting the developed fishing gear/instrument and fish handling system, in the member countries to transfer appropriate technology, will also be continued from the past years. Regarding the sub-activity on the development of fish freshness tool kit, it is planned that the result from the preliminary review on fish freshness will be disseminated and discussed with technologists in order to come up with recommendation for the next step to be taken as the follow-up activity.

Activity 3: Human Resource Development

The regional HRD program on: (i) sampling/fishing gear, techniques, and machineries; and (ii) environmental/users friendly fish handling and preservation techniques; will be carried out through the joint program with the Member Countries. Activity under this category includes: on-the-job training for research methods for the fisheries resources survey in the un-trawlable grounds; and onsite training on the environmental/users friendly fish handling and preservation techniques.

Activity 4: Information Dissemination

Information dissemination will be made through various sources, including SEAFDEC website, brochures, publications, reports of activities, information package, etc.

No	Title	Year	Download
1	Report of the On-site Training on Environmental/User-Friendly Fish Handling and Preservation Techniques, 4-6 August 2009, Phu Yen, Vietnam	2009	9.9 MB.