Hook and line fishing in the floodplain of the Mekong River (courtesy of Theo Visser). The main purpose of fisheries statistics should be to monitor the state and trends of fisheries, focusing on specific ones.
Collect information on the existing statistical system (objectives, data needs, methods used, and
This is the main reason why it is impossible to write a do-it-yourself step-by-step manual. Nevertheless, it is possible to list various steps that should be taken into account during the evaluation and design phase.
Collect information on who is involved in fisheries policy and planning
Differences in policy emphasis, preferred approaches, staffing and budget make it almost impossible to formulate a 'minimum' set of parameters applicable to all ASEAN-SEAFDEC member states. Each fishery will require a slightly different approach, possibly using the same general methodology, but with minor differences in actual implementation.
Formulate the objectives of the fishery statistical system
If for example the only information requirement was an overall production estimate for aquaculture, reservoir fisheries and river fisheries, this could be done without any survey and could be based on previous research, the Morphological Edaphic Index (MEI) or estimates adjusted from previous years. .
Define the data needs
Review all existing information pertaining to fisheries
If these were conducted at a local level, the results may not have been disseminated to the central government level. This assessment of existing information is often done as a desktop study and is an ideal target for external (donor) funding.
Determine appropriate methods to collect required data missing from existing information
Train staff in using the selected methods Training is an essential component of any statistical
Apply the methods and collect statistics
Process and analyse the data
Mobile traps in the Great Lake of Cambodia and the database should be established well in advance. The level of reliability, or margin of error, should always be indicated, as should the variability of the survey results.
Produce relevant information for policy makers, planners and managers
For catch assessment and other basic surveys, the database should be able to automatically produce all required standard outputs in order to facilitate the use of the data.
Analyse the system at all stages of implementation and provide feedback to improve
Economic data should include at least fish prices, exports and employment in the sector (including inclusion). A good example is the inland fishery in the Tonle Sap River and Great Lakes area of Cambodia (see Box). He was responsible for the development of the MRC Mekong Fish Database as well as an interactive CD on Fish Migrations in the Mekong River.
As for the majority of the 66 million people living in the Mekong Basin (1997 estimate), fish and rice constitute the staple foods of most people in Cambodia. More than 1.2 million people in the Tonle Sap area alone depend on fishing for their livelihood. No species is found only in the Tonle Sap, but several are endemic to the Mekong.
The intensity of fisheries in the Mekong Basin has led to the general belief that fish stocks are already suffering from overfishing. Find us at www.seafdec.org and click on the Fish for the People link in the upper right corner of the screen, or visit us directly at
Reconciling Fishing and
Rapid declines in fish stocks and populations, particularly in small-scale tropical coastal fisheries, are commonly attributed to two factors: overfishing and degradation of ecosystems, which are critical for sustaining coastal fish populations. As mentioned during the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Millennium Conference, the widespread degradation of coastal and marine habitats has greatly affected the productivity of fisheries and reduced their contribution to local food security. Measures to halt or even reverse these trends are urgently required, and methodologies to restore and enhance coastal aquatic habitats must be explored and developed.
In the Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security in the ASEAN Region, adopted at the Millennium Conference, ministers responsible for fisheries in the ASEAN region recommended that they "work towards the conservation and rehabilitation of aquatic habitats that are essential for improving fishery resources." The ASEAN Action Plan formulated during the conference reflects this. Following the ministerial recommendations of the Millennium Conference and based on the Action Plan, SEAFDEC subsequently designed several corresponding programs to address overfishing and ecosystem degradation through the promotion of innovative fisheries management practices. Aimed at promoting the establishment of sustainable fisheries, the programs include decentralization and the introduction of rights-based fisheries (see Fish for the People Vol. 1 No. 2) as well as a program to improve coastal fisheries resources.
Environmental Protection
This article reflects the discussions and outcomes of this workshop, and addresses the various facets of resource improvement strategies that have been proposed and discussed. Box 1 shows that all ASEAN-SEAFDEC member states promote at least one, and often more than one, of these resource enhancement instruments. The promotion of SFGs is one of the priority areas of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Philippines.
The ambiguity of these major strategies for increasing fisheries resources, as reflected by the diversity of the objectives mentioned above, can be summarized in one question: what are the net gains and benefits for fisheries resources. Conventional fisheries managers and fishermen fear that fishing pressure outside and especially along the boundaries of the MPA will increase and quickly eliminate any [positive] spillover effects.” Fishing is prohibited in the core zone of the MPA, and within the buffer zone surrounding the MPA, only hook and line and occasional gillnet fishing is permitted.
Since the ARs are within the no-take zone of the MPA, this increase must be attributed to spillover effects from this area. To quote from the FAO's definition of sustainable ecosystem-based fisheries management: "The overarching principles of ecosystem-based fisheries management. This requires intensive studies and environmental impact assessments of each of the resource enhancement methods introduced through regional pilot projects.
The results of such research programs will contribute greatly to the establishment of coastal resource utilization practices, and help realize the full potential of coastal ecosystem productivity in a sustainable manner, for greater food security in the ASEAN region and for the benefit of the people of South-East Asia.
Managing Sea Turtles in
Southeast Asia
Artificial hatcheries have been established near most of the breeding beaches in the country, with at least 15 hatcheries currently in operation. The establishment of hatcheries in the Turtle Islands began in 1984, enabling residents to collect 60% of the total eggs produced in all islands except Baguan Island. Sixty sea turtles were tagged in Morong, Bataan of the nests tagged were olive ridleys.
The Eastern Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center in Rayong Province (Man-nai Center) is managed by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. The number of eggs produced by birds during the period in Thailand is shown in the table on the next page. In accordance with the clear recognition of the issue at the regional level, it is to be hoped that cooperation will improve in the near future.
Ahmad Ali heads the Resource Research and Conservation Unit and now works in the areas of elasmobranch biology and taxonomy (sharks and rays), recreational fisheries and sea turtles. A large number of developing countries called for caution in assessing the role of subsidies in fisheries, as recognized in the report's special comments.
ASEAN and Fishery Subsidies
In the resolution and plan of action adopted during the Millennium Conference, ASEAN member states were requested to assess the impact of state aid on fisheries, particularly with regard to the needs of small-scale fisheries in the ASEAN region and sustainable fisheries. In response to the process of developing a common ASEAN view on fisheries subsidies to be presented at the international venues, and more specifically in preparation for the FAO International Technical Consultation, a Regional Consultation on Fisheries Subsidies was held by ASEAN – SEAFDEC in Bangkok, Thailand, 9-10 October 2003. Two documents were essential as a basis for the regional consultation: "The Conclusions and Recommendations of the FAO Expert Consultation on the Identification, Assessment and Reporting of Subsidies in the Fisheries Industry" (Rome, 3-6 December ) 2002) and "WTO Rules Negotiating Group: Memorandum from the Chair on Compilations of Issues and Proposals Identified by Participants in the Rules Negotiating Group" (22 August 2003).
The members of the Working Group on Regional Fisheries Policy compiled information from the questionnaires into a matrix of categories and types of subsidies listed in the WTO and FAO documents. It provided a good background for discussions on the relevance of proposals presented in the WTO document for the ASEAN region. The participants in the regional consultation also received two comprehensive presentations on ongoing processes within the FAO and the WTO respectively.
As a SEAFDEC member country since 2001, Cambodia is now fully involved in the Centre's activities, working with other member countries to promote sustainable use of regional fisheries resources. The Cambodian Fisheries Reform In the past, Cambodian people were able to exploit abundant fishery resources.
Fishing Reform and Community Fisheries
A priority in the ongoing fisheries reform is to improve the management of the fish party system. Fish forms one of the most important elements in the diet of the rural people. The toxins left in the fish body are also likely to be dangerous to the health of the consumer.
This includes the limited experience, resources, skills and capacity of staff in the Department of Fisheries. Unless these basic needs are met, it is understandable that they do not get involved in the co-. The site owners ('concessionaires') obtain rights to the exclusive exploitation of fishery resources in the lot.
Second Technical Consultation Meeting on Information Collection for Sustainable Pelagic Fisheries in the South China Sea. To carry out research and development in fishing gear technology, fishing ground surveys, post-harvest technology and aquaculture, to investigate problems relating to fish handling at sea and quality control and to conduct surveys of the fishery resources of the region; and.
