The SEAFDEC Training Department hosted the “Celebrating a Legacy at Sea aboard M.V. SEAFDEC” event on 21 May 2026. SEAFDEC Secretary-General and Chief of the Training Department, Ms. Sampan Panjarat, delivered welcoming remarks, highlighting the vessel as a platform of shared history, regional cooperation, and an unwavering commitment to the sustainable future of the oceans. She emphasized the crucial role of the SEAFDEC Training Department, which has served for decades as a steadfast pillar of capacity building, research, and technology transfer in Southeast Asia. Through rigorous training programs, the department has empowered member countries and nurtured generations of fishery officers, scientists, and fishers.
Described as a “floating academy” and a true symbol of regional unity, the M.V. SEAFDEC is at the core of this mission. Having navigated thousands of nautical miles across Southeast Asian waters, the ship has conducted vital oceanographic surveys and pioneered the use of sustainable fishing gear. However, she noted that the vessel’s true legacy lies in the countless young researchers, cadets, and crew members trained on its decks who have become leaders in their fields. The event celebrated this spirit of collaboration that transcends maritime borders, looking forward to the future with renewed dedication.
To further honor this shared vision, SEAFDEC Council Members subsequently participated in a tree-planting activity to commemorate the occasion. This symbolic gesture reflected the steady growth, resilience, and sustainable future of regional fisheries cooperation.
