Inclusion of the genus Manta in CITES Appendix II in accordance with Article II, paragraph 2, letter a). Proposal to include the family Nautilidae in CITES Appendix II in accordance with Article II, paragraph 2, letter a).
Role of SEAFDEC in Relation to CITES Issues
Regional consultations in Thailand to develop the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Common Position on the proposed inclusion of commercially exploited aquatic species in the CITES Appendices. The inclusion of the species in CITES Appendix II is expected to create barriers to trade in aquacultured and farmed stingrays, e.g.
Way Forward
Placing the species on CITES Appendix I would also mean that trade in the species (including ornamental aquaculture in captivity) would also be prohibited, resulting in the loss of sustainable production and livelihoods in the ornamental aquaculture sector. The inclusion of the species in CITES Appendix I is expected to prevent further trade in captive-bred species. Trade in CITES Appendix II species requires documents confirming that the trade will not harm the survival of the species in the wild (non-detriment findings or NDF) approved by the national scientific authority.
Furthermore, methodologies and capacity building in species identification of traded specimens are also necessary, especially for customs officials to ensure that trade in the species listed in CITES appendices is regulated in accordance with CITES provisions.
Capacity building in terms of species identification and scientific data collection is also needed to support the data collection program and to provide the necessary data to support the development of harmless finding documents by the scientific authority of the countries concerned to enable trade in the species. However, it should also be recognized that the listing of species in CITES appendices may pose a greater risk of illegal trade in specimens that could not be regulated, and measures should be put in place to address this issue. Furthermore, it should be noted that the listing of species in CITES Appendices may not necessarily result in a reduction in catches of the species, as the species may still be caught as by-catch; therefore, the regulation of collection and trade in this species should be considered.
Furthermore, the importance of the species to the livelihoods of people, especially small-scale fishers and their communities who depend on harvesting these natural resources, and the long-term effects of listing CEAS in CITES appendices must be assessed.
About the Authors
Deriving More Information on Sharks and Rays of
Southeast Asia for Sustainable Utilization and Management
Landing data collection
Marketing and trade survey
Nursery ground study of sharks and rays
This study is also being carried out in Nenasi waters in the southern part of Pahang's coastal waters, starting in November 2021 and expected to end in March 2024.
Diversity of freshwater stingrays
Species identification through DNA analysis
Number of samples for DNA barcoding of sharks, rays and skates from selected locations in Southeast Asia. Phylogenetic relationship between shark species (a) and among rays and skate species (b). Note: color coding of text is also used in Table 2) Sample collection at Kuantan Port, Pahang, Malaysia. DNA barcoding showed excellent progress to support and verify the results, usually using morphometric and meristic data.
MFRDMD had submitted the DNA barcodes for 34 species of sharks and 43 species of rays to the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLDSYSTEM) with six new records accessible worldwide.
Shark conservation and management measures
Human resource development and public awareness
DNA barcoding reveals species diversity of stingrays (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) in ray products sold across Ireland and the UK. Abd Haris Hilmi Ahmad Arshad is the Head of SEAFDEC/MFRDMD in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Prior to joining SEAFDEC/MFRDMD in November 2020, he is the National Coordinator for Sharks and Rays for Malaysia.
A test of the utility of DNA barcoding in the radiation of the freshwater stingray genus Potamotrygon (Potamotrygonidae, Myliobatiformes).
Complying with the Import Provisions of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA): issues and challenges
In global seafood trade, Europe was the top exporter of fish and fishery products in 2019 with a share of 36 percent of total exports in terms of quantity and value. Moreover, the Southeast Asian region shared 13–14 percent of the total exports in terms of quantity and value (Figure 2). While the Southeast Asian region shared about 10 percent of total imports in terms of quantity and 6 percent of total imports in terms of value (SEAFDEC, 2022a).
In terms of quantity (live weight), China was the top importing country of aquatic products, far ahead of the United States.
United States Fisheries Laws
Issues and Challenges in ASEAN Member States in Response to the US Marine Mammal Protection Act Issues and Challenges. Consideration by the United States of fish and fish products from an intermediate nation (re-export country) that will not be contaminated with fish from the prohibited area (export fishery) after implementation of the MMPA. In addition, NOAA Fisheries identified fisheries that have marine mammal interactions and export fish and fish products to the United States and consulted with harvest nations of such fisheries to collect information on their marine mammal bycatch.
With this extension, nations will have until December 31, 2023 to receive a comparability score for their commercial fisheries in order to export fish and fish products to the United States.
Issues and challenges of the ASEAN Member States
Collaboration between AMSs to study the distribution of transboundary marine mammals in Southeast Asian waters. Modification of deadlines under the provisions of the importation of fish and fish products of the Act for the Protection of Marine Mammals". The AMS are in the process of consulting with NOAA Fisheries for final approval of the Finding of Comparability.
Change of deadlines under the marine mammal import regulations for fish and fish products.
About the Author
During the Webinar, the status of the MMPA regarding the "Implementation of the Import of Fish and Fish Products Provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act" as well as information on the main issues and challenges of AMSs related to the MMPA (SEAFDEC, 2022b) . This is because, in most countries of the region, the national fisheries agency has no mandate in the conservation and protection of marine mammals. Support may include stock assessment of marine mammal abundance as a sub-regional or regional programme, assessment of by-catch limits, improvement of existing nets (eg modification of fishing gear/practices to reduce gear mortality of fisheries), providing regional forums for information exchange, and expanding cooperation between international and regional organizations for technical support.
Report of the fifty-fourth mega meeting of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Council.
Implementing Sound Policies and Regulations for the Sustainability of Eel Fisheries in Southeast Asia
Eel fisheries in Southeast Asia
The value chain in Indonesia and the Philippines starts with the collection of glass eels from fishermen who raise the glass eels in temporary breeding tanks for a few days before transporting them to eel farms. Eel farmers raise glass eels to market size; then, when the eels reach edible size, they are harvested and processed into various food products. Marketing begins with the shipment of glass eels and eels to eel farmers and yellow or table-sized eels to local and overseas markets.
It can be noted that fishermen of glass eels are usually temporary fishermen who work only from evening to midnight.
Anguillid eels as an aquatic species under international concern
Policies and Regulations of ASEAN Member States for the Sustainable Development of Anguilidal Stocks in the Southeast Asian Region (continued). Dina Muthmainnah is the Special Branch Coordinator of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD and Senior Policy Analyst of the Inland Fisheries and Extension Research Institute, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia. IFRDMD, and Policy Analyst at the Research Institute for Inland Fisheries and Extension, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia.
Myint Than Soe is the Anguillid Eel Focal Point for Myanmar and the Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar.
Promoting Tropical Eel Culture in the Philippines
Eel collection and culture areas in the Philippines
The culture of glass eels or elves in cages within a concrete pond is not common, although this cultural practice has been documented in the southern Philippines (Surtida, 2000). Glass eels harvested (top) by eel fishermen (bottom) from the Cagayan River in the Philippines.
Cage as a suitable environment for the growth of A. bicolor pacifica
Other growth parameters such as percentage weight gain, specific growth rate and yield were higher for A.
Feed acceptability: an important issue for growing A. marmorata
Acknowledgments
Evaluation of fishmeal analogue as a partial replacement of fishmeal in the diet of growing Japanese eel Anguilla japonica. Sympatric spawning but allopatric dispersal of Anguilla japonica and Anguilla marmorata: Temperature- and ocean current-dependent sieving. Genetic diversity, population structure and demographic history of the tropical eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica in Southeast Asia using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences.
A new species of freshwater eel Anguilla luzonensis (Teleostei: . Anguillidae) from Luzon Island, Philippines.
Learning the Lessons from the Integrated Small-scale Inland Fisheries Business in Kampong Patin Village,
Learning Lessons from Integrated Small-Scale Inland Fishing Business in Kampong Patin Village,.
Kampong Patin as the center of integrated fisheries
The fishing activities in Kampong Patin improved the economic well-being of local people of different ages and educational levels. With the beautiful scenery of Kotopanjang Reservoir, the local people of Koto Masjid Village promote fishing tourism. Another conservation effort is the reintroduction of native fish such as pangasius, mystus and gourami by the local government.
Although fishing activities are going well in Kampong Patin, local residents still need construction and capacity building to sustain their livelihoods.
Guide to Contributing Articles
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEAFDEC currently consists of 11 Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Sustainable management and development of fisheries and aquaculture to contribute to food security, poverty alleviation and people's livelihoods in the Southeast Asian region. Technology transfer and capacity building to increase the capacity of Member States in the application of technologies, and the implementation of fisheries policies and management tools for the sustainable use of fisheries resources and aquaculture.
Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the regional fisheries policies and management frameworks adopted under the ASEAN-SEAFDEC cooperation mechanism, and the emerging international fisheries-related issues, including their impact on fisheries, food security and socio-economics of the region.
