PART II: PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR 2015
1. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
The Aquaculture Department of SEAFDEC has been responsible for this project, including the management and coordination of all project activities. Other ASEAN member countries which were identified as core countries in the project are involved in implementing the relevant activities on a cost- sharing basis.
The present project tries to restore stock levels of some species listed in CITES (seahorses Hippocampus spp. and Napoleon wrasse Cheilinus undulatus) and those heavily-exploited but economically-important species in Southeast Asia (sea cucumber Holothuria scabra, donkey’s ear abalone Haliotis asinina, and mud crabs Scylla spp.) through stock enhancement program and to enhance community-based management of the stocks and socioeconomic strategies. Adaptive measures supporting replenishment of tropical aquatic resources under the changing environment such as climate change will be also covered in the present project.
SEAFDEC/AQD will achieve an environment-friendly and sustainable stock enhancement program through the establishment of seed production technologies that take into account the preservation of the genetic diversity and release procedures so that unintended negative impacts of stock release on the wild populations and the other species should be minimized. In this project, therefore, information about the population of the species concerned, their habitats and fisheries conditions is gathered prior and subsequent to any attempts of stock release.
An effective stock enhancement program can be accomplished by establishing release strategies such as tagging methods, optimum size-at-release, site selection, conditioning animals prior to release, and securing shelters. These strategies can improve survival of the released animals in the wild.
A holistic stock enhancement program can be complemented through socio-economic studies that will identify appropriate community-based strategies for successful implementation of stock enhancement program. The proposed project will also include on-site seminars/lectures for various stakeholders to enhance local awareness about and cooperation in stock enhancement activities.
The efficacy of resource enhancement largely depends on environmental capacity. Nowadays however, natural habitats for tropical aquatic life rapidly deteriorate due to a changing environment, through anthropological repercussion including climate change. To maximize the effectiveness of resource enhancement, this project will seek adaptive measures to maintain a healthy environment.
The expected outputs of the project will include the establishment of strategies and guidelines of stock enhancement through sustainable, responsible and environment-friendly approach. The significant achievements of the project will be disseminated to ASEAN member countries to promote environment- friendly resource enhancement in the Southeast Asian region.
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All the activities/sub-activities involved in this project are in line with the Resolution and Plan of Action, which were endorsed in ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security Towards 2020 held at Bangkok in June 2011.
2. PROJECT
2.1 Goal/Overall Objectives and Performance Indicators This Project aims to:
1) Establish mass production technology and broodstock management, and to develop methodology of stock enhancement practice of internationally threatened species (species listed in CITES);
2) Establish release strategies of regionally over-exploited species and verify the effectiveness of community managed sea ranching and socioeconomic strategies;
3) Establish adaptive measures supporting resource enhancement for a changing environment; and 4) Disseminate and demonstrate resource enhancement practices.
The performance indicators are as follows.
1) Gathering information about the population of the species concerned, their habitats and fisheries conditions;
2) Establishment of seed production technologies that take into account the preservation of the genetic diversity and release procedures;
3) Development of release strategies such as tagging methods, optimum size-at-release, site selection, conditioning animals prior to release, and securing shelters;
4) Establishment of appropriate community-based strategies for successful implementation of stock enhancement program;
5) Implementation of on-site seminars/lectures for various stakeholders to enhance local awareness about and cooperation in stock enhancement activities;
6) Securing environmental capacity and healthiness to maximize the effectiveness of resource enhancement; and
7) Establishment of strategies and guidelines of stock enhancement through sustainable, responsible and environment-friendly approach.
2.2 Expected Outcomes and Outputs
Outcomes obtained from all research activities are definitely useful to LGU officers, fisher folks, researchers and academicians. However, effort to bridge gaps toward the practical levels should be continued. Since this project is a very timely program for the region, the outcome will generate positive impact in the development of sustainable fisheries in the ASEAN region.
Good progress was shown in the activities on “Stock enhancement of regionally over exploited species”
and on “Establishment of adaptive measures for a changing environment”, while “Stock enhancement of internationally threatened species” faced some difficulties beyond our control and had no choice but to be behind the initial schedule, especially the research on Napoleon wrasse. The former activity has a lot of findings and outcomes which could be utilized to the respective beneficiary described above already 2.3 Project Description/Framework
Activity 1: Stock enhancement of internationally threatened species (species listed in CITES) Sub-activity 1.1 Stock enhancement of seahorses, Hippocampus comes and H. barbouri
Although the survival was proven to be increased through UV-treatment of the rearing water and sterilization of the food organism, it is still highly variable. More research is needed to optimize culture efficiency and to refine mass production technology for seahorse juveniles. The present study also tries to develop release strategies and establish guidelines for stock enhancement practice.
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Sub-activity 1.2 Stock enhancement of Napoleon wrasse, Cheilinus undulates
Seed production of Napoleon wrasse has not been successful. In order to prevent further declines in natural populations, the present study will develop breeding and seed production techniques for culture as well as for restocking its natural population. The information about the population of the species concerned, their habitats and fisheries conditions is gathered prior and subsequent to any attempts of stock release.
Activity 2: Stock enhancement of regionally over-exploited species
Sub-activity 2.1 Community managed sandfish Holothuria scabra sea ranching and stock release
Sea cucumbers are high-value marine products but its fishery is over-exploited on a global-scale. They are detritivorous feeders and could help clean and improve sediment quality. Thus, sea ranching and stock release of sandfish is expected to complement the promotion of environment-friendly resource enhancement. The present study will package, pilot and verify the effectiveness of community-managed sea-ranching and stock enhancement initiatives for managing a depleted sea cucumber fishery.
Sub-activity 2.2 Stock enhancement of donkey’s ear abalone, Haliotis asinina
Although SEAFDEC/AQD had successfully developed hatchery techniques for producing the present species, the technology to rebuild collapsed populations is yet to be developed. The present study will establish release strategies through development of tagging methodology, clarification of genetic structure of wild stock, and assessment of the impacts of released abalone on the wild population.
Sub-activity 2.3 Stock enhancement of mud crab, Scylla spp.
The declining mud crab landing from capture fisheries is being supplemented by increasing production from aquaculture. However, mud crab aquaculture is usually in ponds constructed in former mangrove areas which are natural habitat of wild mud crab. To resolve the contradicting situation, stock enhancement is needed to address the problem of declining population.
Sub-activity 2.4 Socio-economic analysis and identification of strategies for managing released stocks of abalone and sea cucumber in the Philippines
High-value fishery species such as abalone and sea cucumber are sourced from rural fishing areas where low-income fishers are driven towards unsustainable harvest practices. This study aims to assess some socioeconomic strategies acceptable to stakeholders and suitable for the resources being enhanced and identify polices at the local and national level that would support stock enhancement activities.
Activity 3: Establishment of adaptive measures supporting resource enhancement for a changing environment
Sub-activity 3.1 Adaptive measures for coral replenishment
Coral reefs, the richest ecosystems on earth in terms of biodiversity, productivity, biomass and/or structural complexity, are in serious decline worldwide through the climate changes, and illegal fishing using dynamite and cyanide. The effects of climate change to the ocean environment are not only due to seawater warming, but also ocean acidification. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the coupled effects of acidification and warming on the growth, functions of the metabolism and photosynthesis, and the zooxanthella density in reef building coral species through a tank based examination.
Activity 4: Training course
Basic technologies and information on stock enhancement will be transferred to the Member Countries.
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Manuals, posters, pamphlets and flyer describing sustainable strategies for stock enhancement will be published and distributed.
Activity 6: Annual progress meeting and international workshop Sub-activity 6.1 Annual progress meeting
Annual meeting will be held to review the project achievement. Evaluators will be invited to join the meeting to review/evaluate the project achievements.
Sub-activity 6.2 International workshop
The workshop will not only receive participants from member countries but also invite expert scientists as key note speakers to facilitate to spread and exchange brand-new information on resource enhancement between SEAFDEC and various institutions.
Activity 7: Coordination by the project leader
The project leader will coordinate and encourage the research activities and also facilitate information exchange not only domestically but also among member countries so that the present project under TF-5 will promote food safety of aquaculture products in Southeast Asia.
3. PROGRESS/ACHIEVEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2014