On 18 March 2026, the delegation of 16 students from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, visited the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD). The primary objective of this study visit was to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how an international organization operates within the fisheries sector. The visit provided students with an insight into SEAFDEC’s organizational framework and its vital role in promoting sustainable fisheries across the region. ​ In addition, the students explored the technical aspects of maritime navigation and the overview of the M.V. SEAFDEC to support the essential for fisheries research. This experience exposure aimed to bridge the...

The SEAFDEC Training Department, in collaboration with the Government of Canada, organized the Workshop on Strengthening Regional Fisheries Governance and Technology Integration to Combat IUU Fishing in the Indo-Pacific from 17 to 19 March 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was attended by a total of 71 participants (64 in person and 7 via online platforms). The delegation included officials responsible for implementing Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) measures from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Distinguished representatives from several international and technical organizations also participated, including Governmental & Intergovernmental: Fisheries and Oceans Canada...

The Training Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/TD), in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF) of Thailand, conducted a survey and experimental fishing study in Rayong Province, Thailand under the project “Catch Rate and Species Composition of Anchovy Falling Net with Light Luring Fishing.” The survey, scheduled for 16–20 March 2026, aims to collect data on catch rates, species composition, potential bycatch, and fishers’ perspectives regarding this fishing method. Field activities include experimental fishing operations and biological sampling to assess species diversity and the proportion of species caught. The study also incorporates a semi-structured survey to...

On 12 March 2026, at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Secretariat, Mr. Adirake Markphol from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) met with representatives from SEAFDEC/TD, led by Mr. Isara Chanrachakig and Ms. Suwanee Sayan from the Project Planning and Management Division, to discuss the implementation of the BOBLME II Project and strengthen alignment between the components implemented by SEAFDEC and IUCN. A total of three (3) participants (1 female and 2 males) attended the discussion. Under the BOBLME II Project, five (5) components are implemented by the executing agencies. SEAFDEC is responsible for Components 1,...

On 12 March 2026, representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), led by Linnéa Strand and accompanied by Dallakoti Gunjan, Hanson Valkyriea, and Milliken Mattie, visited the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). The Secretary-General of SEAFDEC assigned Mr. Isara Chanrachakig and Ms. Suwanee Sayan from the Project Planning and Management Division of SEAFDEC/TD to represent SEAFDEC in exchanging information on the implementation of the BOBLME II Project in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A total of six (6) participants (4 females and 2 males)...

Event Overview On March 12, 2026, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) hosted the "National Meeting for Verifying the Results of the Pilot Testing of Fishing Gear Marking" at Maejo University's Lamae Campus in Chumphon Province, Thailand. This event was made possible through support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and represented a collaborative effort between SEAFDEC’s Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) and the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Thailand. Bringing Research to the Real World The primary goal of the meeting was to validate the outcomes of pilot tests conducted in Chumphon Province from mid-January to late February 2026. SEAFDEC Secretary-General Sampan Panjarat...

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) and the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Thailand jointly convened the Second Consultative Meeting on the Collaborative Training and Research Projects on 9 March 2026 at DOF in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting brought together 33 participants (13 females and 20 males) from DOF Thailand and SEAFDEC/TD, including senior officials and technical experts. The meeting aimed to review the progress of four (4) projects initiated in 2025 and discuss the proposed seven (7) projects for implementation in 2026. The projects cover several priority areas, including the application of solar energy to reduce operational costs, the testing...

The Marine Engineering Section of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/TD), in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Thailand, organized a technical meeting on 9 March 2026 at the Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC), DOF headquarters in Bangkok. Co-chaired by SEAFDEC/TD and Mr. Aekkarat Wongkeaw, Senior Fisheries Specialist from the DOF, the meeting focused on a presentation by Thaicom Public Company Limited regarding innovative fishing vessel tracking devices. The session aimed to evaluate the specifications, durability, and cost-effectiveness of these devices, as well as to gather information on their limitations and monthly service fees. This initiative is part...

On 6 March 2026, the SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) welcomed eight representatives from Kyushu University, Japan. The delegation toured SEAFDEC/TD’s specialized facilities, including the research vessel M.V. SEAFDEC, to observe the technical infrastructure supporting regional fisheries development. The program commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Koichi Tahara, the Deputy Chief of the Training Department. This was followed by comprehensive presentations designed to provide the delegation with deeper insights into fisheries development and Japan’s significant contributions through SEAFDEC. Key topics included: SEAFDEC’s regional role and mission, Core activities of the Training Department, Japanese Trust Fund (JTF) initiatives supporting Southeast Asian...

On 6 March 2026, the SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) welcomed 50 university students from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) for an educational site visit. The program began with a comprehensive overview of SEAFDEC’s mission to promote sustainable fisheries and food security across Southeast Asia. A core focus of the session was an expert-led lecture on combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which provided students with critical insights into the regional policies and technological monitoring systems essential for protecting marine ecosystems and ensuring ethical fishing practices. To gain practical experience, the students were invited to explore the M.V....