Thrust V: Addressing International Fisheries Related Issues from a Regional Perspective Assistance of Capacity Building in the Region to Address
2. PROJECT
2.1 Goal/Overall Objectives and Performance Indicators
This project on “Rehabilitation of Fisheries Resources and Habitat/Fishing Grounds though Resources Enhancement” is being proposed to ensure that:
1) Results of the investigation and diagnosis of the status of fishery resource in critical fishing grounds and fishery refugia sites are used to develop resource enhancement tools for the countries to adapt;
2) The feasibilities and environmental/socio-economical impacts of such resource enhancement practices are made known to the stakeholders in the countries; and
3) Experiences and lessons learnt are used as reference in the development of a regional management approach for coastal fisheries in rehabilitated habitats in ASEAN Member States.
38 2.2 Expected Outcomes and Outputs
During the fourth year of the project, diagnostic methods for critical fishing grounds would be developed and the adoption of resources enhancement practices would be evaluated. This would be done with the technical assistance of governments in respective pilot project sites and is expected to come up with suitable resources enhancement practices. The results and information on rehabilitation of fisheries resources and habitat/fishing grounds would be disseminated to the ASEAN Member States, and the progress of the implementation of the strategies in pilot project sites would be evaluated to serve as inputs in the proposed guidelines.
The expected outputs of the project include strategies for implementing resources enhancement programs to promote sustainable fisheries resources enhancement, and the capacity of human resources in ASEAN member states is enhanced to enable them to implement such resources enhancement programs. Results from a series of surveys conducted earlier and the practices developed in 2010-2012 could be used as reference in addressing possible distinct results and views.
From the strategies that had been developed and the experiences of the pilot project sites in implementing the strategies would be used in the development of the guidelines for implementing resources enhancement programs to promote sustainable fisheries resources enhancement. The project would also continue to develop the capacity of human resources in ASEAN member states for them to implement the resources enhancement programs.
2.3 Project Description/Framework
The project will be implemented through the following activities and sub-activities:
Activity 1: Development of methods for diagnosing critical fishing grounds and evaluation of resources enhancement practices
Sub-Activity 1.1 Investigation/review of the status of critical fishing grounds in the Southeast Asian region Investigation of the existing basic information and research works in identifying critical fishing grounds as well as spawning and nursery grounds known also as “Fishery Refugia” for commercial fishes including bottom and pelagic species, will be conducted. Meanwhile, compilation of relevant information would be carried out through deskwork and confirmed through visits to the ASEAN member states. The information compiled would be analyzed to be used in mapping the critical fishing grounds and developing the indicators for assessing the status of critical fishing grounds in the region.
Sub-Activity 1.2 Information collection on suitable designs of resource enhancement practices including their evaluation and promotion
Assessment of existing information and research works on effective designs/models and methodologies for the resource enhancement tools/practices used in various fisheries habitat will be carried out. Information collection would be conducted through deskwork and experiments on designs/models.
Sub-Activity 1.3 Workshop/Expert consultation on resource enhancement practices
This includes a series of workshops as well as expert consultations to identify appropriate and effective resources enhancement tools for various fishery habitats. The results would be compiled into a collection of tools and measures that could be adapted in pilot projects to determine the best tools and practices.
Sub-Activity 1.4 Workshop/Expert consultation on identification of critical fishing grounds and on regional habitat rehabilitation and management approach
Workshops/expert consultative meetings will be convened to identify critical fishing grounds and fishery refugia in the region and approaches would compiled based on recommendations during the organized regional workshops. Local people’s indigenous knowledge would be shared and their participation enhanced during the workshops, as these are major factors that could bring about and sustain an active
39
fisheries habitat rehabilitation and management program. Scientific data and information would be supported by the views of the local people who are known to have the right means or methods to strengthen their activities.
Activity 2: Technical assistance for pilot project sites and capacity building on rehabilitation of fisheries resources and habitats/fishing grounds
Sub-Activity 2.1 Technical assistance in pilot sites for development of suitable designs of resource enhancement practices
Selected sites would conduct on-site study and evaluation of enhancement practices including impacts of artificial reefs to fisheries resources and the environment, for example in Rayong Province, Thailand.
Sub-Activity 2.2 Technical assistance in pilot sites for diagnosing fishing grounds and evaluation of fishery ecosystem management
In order to develop the strategies and actions for rehabilitating critical fishing grounds as practical management measures, critical fishing grounds will be selected for diagnosing their status and monitoring the achievements of rehabilitation programs in selected pilot sites such as sea grass beds for dog conch in Krabi Province, Thailand.
Case studies would be conducted on selected priority important fisheries ecosystem that had been identified and evaluated in cooperation with the ASEAN member states. This would include a case study to be carried out by SEAFDEC on the identification and evaluation of fisheries ecosystem in freshwater reservoirs, such as in Nam Haum, Lao PDR.
Sub-Activity 2.3 Capacity building on rehabilitation practices for fisheries resources and habitats/fishing grounds
Capacity building on rehabilitation practices for fisheries resources and habitats/fishing grounds would be provided through a training course and study trips to promote the practices both in terms of technical and management aspects to the ASEAN member states. This is aimed at enhancing their capacities and awareness of the various practices on rehabilitation of fishery resources and habitats/fishing grounds.
Sub-Activity 2.4 Capacity building on identification of critical fishing grounds and regional habitat rehabilitation and management approach
Regional training course would be organized to strongly support the transfer of assistance both in terms of technical and management aspects, and promote the enhancement of fisheries habitat in the ASEAN member states, as well as improve their capacities in the preservation and rehabilitation of critical fishing grounds and fishery refugia.
Activity 3: Promotion and extension of rehabilitation measures for fisheries resources and habitat/ fishing grounds in the ASEAN Member States
Sub-Activity 3.1 Information dissemination on rehabilitation of fisheries resources and habitats/fishing grounds for public awareness
Documentation of the best practices of the project implementation will be carried out, which can be used as inputs in the preparation of IEC (information, education and communication) materials for dissemination in the region.
Sub-Activity 3.2 Regional seminar as end of the project activity
40
3. PROGRESS/ACHIEVEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2014