SEAFDEC PROGRAMS OF ACTIVITIES IN 2019
1. Strategy I: Securing the sustainability of fisheries to contribute to food security, poverty alleviation and livelihood of people in the region
1.5 Development and promotion of responsible fishing technologies
several case studies related to the methods and techniques at regional and national levels were also discussed.
Training program on optimizing energy use and safety at sea (5-9 August 2019, Samut Prakan, Thailand) TD also advocated that energy-efficient use (energy optimization) in fishing activities could be achieved through the improvement of vessels, gears, and types of equipment related to the fishing operations. Considering that fisheries machinery, fish preservation, and propulsion system are essential during the fishing operations of the fishing vessels, TD has been developing the techniques that are effective and efficient, leading to energy optimization for the benefit of fishers. One of such techniques involves the use of power takeoff to support the operation of the crane, power block, nets drum, and refrigeration system of fishing vessels.
In 2019, TD resumed the activity that had been postponed from 2018, on the improvement of fish handling onboard tuna purse seiners by making use of a Thai purse seiner at the project site in Pattani Province, Thailand (Cold Chain Onboard). The simple refrigeration system designed by TD produces a cooling medium that prevents heat accumulation in fish holds. It was set-up in Thai purse seine fishing vessel to promote the adoption of what is known as RSW Chilling System, considering that the use of such system would not only prolong the freshness of the catch during on-board transportation but also reduce post- harvest losses onboard the fishing vessels.
In addition to the issues on safety and working conditions of fishers at sea, another big challenge faced by the fisheries sector of several Southeast Asian countries during the recent years, is shortage of crew onboard fishing vessels. TD has been undertaking efforts to address this concern with the collaboration of the DOF of Thailand, by embarking on an activity that involves exploring the possibility of developing new design of fishing vessels appropriate and practical for the Southeast Asian region taking into consideration the national and relevant international standards and requirements including those of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 188: Work in Fishing (C188). TD also organized a Workshop in 2018 to exchange views on the concept of appropriate fishing vessels’ design to support fuel efficiency, safety at sea, good working and living conditions as well as minimum manpower onboard fishing vessels. As a follow-up, TD organized a
“Meeting-Workshop on Appropriate New Trawl and Purse Seine Fishing Vessel Design” on 18 February 2019, to gather views on the appropriate design of trawl and purse seine fishing vessels from relevant industries, i.e. Thailand Fishery Association, Fishery Associations of Samut Sakhon, Pattani, and Trat Provinces through the Shipyard/Shipbuilding, the Federal
TD representatives delivering to the DOF Thailand on 29 August 2019, two drawing plans and models of the improved version of trawl and purse seine fishing
vessels
The Meeting-Workshop on 18 February 2019 with relevant industries, came up with the appropriate design of trawl and purse seine
fishing vessels
of Thai Industries, etc., promote energy efficiency and safety at sea, and improve the working/living conditions onboard fishing vessels. Based on the conceptual design as discussed and agreed during this Meeting-Workshop, TD developed the drawing plans and construction models of the new version of trawl and purse seine fishing vessels, which were subsequently to the DOF of Thailand on 29 August 2019.
As early as 2018, TD had discussed with the DOF of Thailand and the Thai Fisheries Association as well as with a local purse seine owner in Pattani Province, for the implementation of the activity “Purse Seine Net Modification Using Net Hauler and Deck Machinery” aiming to facilitate the adoption of techniques for improving fishing operations that include optimizing energy use, improving safety at sea and working conditions onboard, and reducing the requirements for fishing crew onboard. Under this activity, TD developed a net power block and deck machinery that would reduce the number of crew required for fishing operations, that were installed in a pilot Thai purse seiner the “Nor Larpprasert 8.”
In addition, an on-board cold storage system was also improved with a view to elevating the quality and freshness of the catch as well as its safety for human consumption. Sea trial of this pilot vessel was conducted on 22-26 April 2019 in Pattani Province, and another trial on 16-17 June 2019 in Trat Province, to gather initial data on the cost and returns from the fishing boat modifications/operations. From the interview of the fishing crew onboard
“Nor Larpprasert 8,” the use of net hauling with hauler machinery was much easier than human power, while the working conditions of the crew had also been improved with more time and space for resting. Furthermore, from the discussion with the vessel owner, it was found that although the investment cost for the ship’s reconfiguration is relatively high, such reconfiguration could primarily focus on the fishing equipment, such as crane, power block, and hydraulic system. Meanwhile, the central cooling system, refrigeration
system and purchase of whole set of purse seine nets, are not necessary for the primary reconfiguration, thus, could be gradually added later on. On 13 August 2019, launching of
“Nor Larpprasert 8” as the pilot vessel under this purse seine fishing vessel modification project was conducted in Pattani Province, Thailand, as a collaborative effort between Pattani Provincial Association, the owner of pilot fishing vessel and the Department of Fisheries of Thailand.
In a parallel development, TD with financial support from the Japanese Trust Fund (JTF), introduced the installation of auxiliary machinery onboard to support the fishing vessels’
operations, e.g. hydraulic crane, net hauler (power block), and the development of hygienic fish handling and storage system using the refrigerated sea water (RSW). While the owner of the pilot fishing vessel was responsible for the cost of the vessel modification to suit the installation of the equipment (i.e. the auxiliary machinery) as well as the cost of purse seine nets modification, JTF provided the funds to defray the cost of the equipment. The installation of the equipment on the pilot vessel (Nor Larpprasert 8) took two (2) months to complete due to the extensive renovations made, not only in terms of technical support but also the transfer of technology, e.g. optimizing energy use, improvement of fishing gears, installation of fishery machinery and fish handling technique onboard for preserving the fresh quality of the catch that would be supplied to the market.
Thai traditional purse seine fishing vessel hauling the net from both sides, port and starboard sides with nearly 40 crew members onboard (before
installation of modern fishing machinery)
Thai purse seine fishing vessel hauling net only from starboard side with only 16 crew members
onboard after installation of modern fishing machinery, e.g. hydraulic crane, power block and refrigeration seawater cooling system (RSW) with
modification of the net plan
Improvement of purse seine net based on design with improved deck machinery for the
pilot Thai purse seiner in Pattani Province
Data collection for economic analysis of the performance of Thai purse seine fishing vessel equipped with power block system for hauling net
Demonstration during the launching of the newly- equipped “Nor Larpprasert 8” on 13 August 2019 Following-up on this purse seine modification activity, TD carried out a study to evaluate the economic viability of the modified purse seine vessel by comparing the cost of vessel modification and the savings from the long-term reduction in operation costs. Such savings could come from the reduction of manpower onboard the vessels, installation of improved cooling system, etc. In addition, such costs should also be compared with the impacts of the improvements on the social well-being and livelihoods of fishers.
After providing/installing the auxiliary machinery to support the purse seine fishing operations, e.g. hydraulic crane, net hauler (power block), fish handling and storage system (RSW), the number of crew onboard was reduced by more than 40%. The overall operations have been smoothly carried out by the skillful master fisherman who is active and with good leadership personality. The newly installed power-block system and the refrigerated seawater system (RSW) worked properly even when operating under severe conditions.
The RSW system has the capacity to produce eight (8) tons of seawater from ambient temperature of 28°C down to -2°C within 12 hours, while the temperature of chilled water in the fish storage room was maintained as well. When the systems ceased for 24 hours, the water temperature in the storage room increased from -2°C to only 4°C. The data collected from the sea trial revealed that the total amount of fish catch which was approximately 8,800 kg, was supported by the RSW system that maintains the temperature between -2°C to 4°C until the vessel arrives the landing site. It is expected that by combining the use of manpower saving device like hydraulic net hauling device (power-block) and the RSW system, reduction of the number of crew on Thai purse seiners (to 16 crew members) could be promoted to Thai fishers and fishing operators involved in Thai purse seining in the near future. From the said sea trial, the number of crew and their positions required on the new improved and modified pilot Thai purse seiner, could be: one (1) Master Fisherman, one (1) Steer man, one (1) Engineer, four (4) Able Seamen, two (2) Divers, and seven (7) Seamen.
Therefore, the total number of crew members required onboard is only 16 persons.
Furthermore, TD also implemented the Departmental Program “Improvement of Fisheries Technology and Reduction of the Impact from Fishing” with the objective of improving fishing technologies and marine engineering to mitigate the impacts of fishing activities on the fishery resources and marine ecosystem. The activities in 2019 included:
• Support to local agencies in Trat Province, Thailand in the implementation of the Project
“Sustainable Development Strategy for the East Asia (SDS-SEA)” from 2019 to 2020
1.6 Integration of habitat and fisheries management and provision of