Report of the Expert Group Meeting on Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Exploitation of Neritic Tuna Resources in the ASEAN Region, Krabi Province, Thailand, 18-20 June 2014, was prepared by the Secretariat of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Report of the Report of the Expert Group Meeting on Regional Action Plan for the Sustainable Exploitation of Neritic Tuna Resources in the ASEAN Region, Krabi Province, Thailand, 18-20 June 2014, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. Report of the Expert Group Meeting on Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Exploitation of Neritic Tuna Resources in the ASEAN Region.
The Expert Group Meeting on Regional Plan of Action on Sustainable Utilization of Neritic Tuna Resources in the ASEAN Region was convened from 18 to 20 June 2014 in Krabi Province, Thailand. He then encouraged everyone to work actively for the development of the RPOA to ensure the sustainability of neritic tuna resources in the Southeast Asian region, and declared the Experts Group Meeting open. Nevertheless, the Expert Group Meeting also agreed to promote the implementation of the ASEAN Tuna Eco-labelling Initiative as part of the management of the region's neritic tuna fisheries.
In this regard, the Expert Group meeting suggested that the AMSs could consider conducting socio-economic surveys to gather basic information on the social status of the stakeholders involved in the neritic tuna industry. Furthermore, to address the issue of the need for an inventory of neritic tuna stocks in the region, the Expert Group meeting decided to establish a regional organization. RECOMMENDED CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RPOA-NERITIC TUNA IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RPOA-NERITIC TUNA.
Following the discussion, the expert group meeting agreed on the draft capacity building program to support the implementation of RPOA neritic tuna as shown in Annex 5.
ENDORSEMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE EXPERTS GROUP MEETING ON THE 1 ST DRAFT OF RPOA-NERITIC TUNA MEETING ON THE 1ST DRAFT OF RPOA-NERITIC TUNA
SEAFDEC by email to facilitate the completion of the work plan for the implementation of the RPOA-Neritic Tuna. At the initial stage, the draft work plan for the development of RPOA-neritic tunas, the establishment of a scientific working group and a capacity building program was presented by the SEAFDEC Policy and Program Coordinator, Dr. While noting the urgency of the matter, the Expert Group Meeting suggested that the countries concerned should discuss the draft work plan more thoroughly, while the proposals should be forwarded to SEAFDEC as soon as possible for consolidation and finalization.
ENDORSEMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXPERT GROUP MEETING ON THE 1ST DRAFT OF RPOA-NERITIC TUNA MEETING ON THE 1ST DRAFT OF RPOA-NERITIC TUNA.
CLOSING OF THE MEETING
Lopez (Ms.) Aquaculturist II,
Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan Lantai 13, Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur No 16 Jakarta Pusat, Mina Bahari III, Indonesia Tel. Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan Gedung Mina bahari III Lantai 13 Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur No.
Hilario
My colleagues from SEAFDEC and members of the Regional Fisheries Policy Network; Ladies and gentlemen, a very good morning. It is indeed my pleasure to be here with you at this very important expert group meeting on the Regional Plan of Action on Sustainable Utilization of Neritic Tuna Resources in the South East Asian waters, organized by SEAFDEC through the SEAFDEC-Sweden project. Chumnarn Pongsri, for his inability to join this Expert Group meeting due to an equally important engagement he has to attend.
As you may have noticed, we can say that this meeting is very important and significant because our statistics over the past four or five years have shown that neritic tuna production has continued to decline in terms of volume. Given that the region's total fish catch includes large quantities of neritic tuna, especially production from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, such a picture is therefore very alarming for the fishing industry. Thus, for the sustainability of the neritic tuna stocks in the region, SEAFDEC was tasked to address this urgent concern of declining neritic tuna catches for the food security of future generations.
While undertaking this mandated task, SEAFDEC recognizes that to address this problem, there is a need to strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation for the promotion of sustainable exploitation of neritic tuna. The task of developing a regional cooperation focusing on neritic tuna fisheries was given to SEAFDEC during the 45th meeting of the SEAFDEC Council last April 2013 in the Philippines. In response to such instructions, SEAFDEC organized the Technical Consultation Meeting on Neritic Tuna in October 2013 under the framework and with support provided by the SEAFDEC-Sweden project.
As a result, the meeting agreed to develop a Regional Plan of Action or RPOA for the sustainable fishing and management of non-critical tuna and identified priority issues to be used to develop the said RPOA, since this year at the 46th Council meeting, the Council supported our effort among member states, SEAFDEC and other participating partners to continue working on the said RPOA. We are gathered here in this beautiful hotel and the very impressive province of Krabi to discuss and review the current problems and challenges facing the regional bluefin tuna fishery in various sub-regional areas and fishing grounds such as those in the South China Sea, the Gulf of Thailand, the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea and the Andaman Sea. The response of Member States with positive signs through your representatives at this meeting is a good sign that we can continue the work we started in 2013.
I therefore want to encourage everyone to actively participate during the discussions, and openly share your knowledge and experience to achieve the expected outputs and the goal of this effort to ensure the sustainability of neritic tuna resources in our region. Finally, on behalf of the organizer, I would like to thank you again for coming to this Meeting. Without further ado, I now declare open this Expert Group Meeting on Regional Plan of Action on Sustainable Utilization of Neritic Tuna Resources in Southeast Asian Waters.
Determining available data and information, improving data collection and developing key indicators
Improving sustainable fisheries management
Organizing regular stakeholder consultations/meetings (including scientists, managers, policy makers and fishers) on management and conservation measures. Negative impacts of climate change on neritic tuna stocks changes Mitigate the impacts of climate change on neritic tuna stocks. Encouraging the involvement of ASEAN Member States in regional/sub-regional research/study on climate change impact, adaptation and mitigation measures in fisheries, especially in bluefin tuna.
Improving sustainable interaction between fisheries and marine ecosystem
Carrying out a comparative study of good practices learned from other countries, RFMOs and international organizations. Implement research and development on appropriate fishing methods and practices for the sustainable use of neritic tuna resources and promotion among ASEAN Member States. Develop and adapt effective management and conservation measures to minimize catches of small neritic tuna with purse seines/ring nets.
Improving compliance to rules and regulations and access to markets
Social Issues
Regional Cooperation
Insufficient information on the status and trends of neritic tuna at sub-regional level. Assessment of the status and trends of neritic tuna at sub-regional level. Establishment of the SEAFDEC Neritic Tuna Scientific Working Group for regional stock assessment and to provide scientific advice for policy considerations on neritic tuna management. Holding regular meetings of the SEAFDEC scientific working group at sub-regional and regional levels.
Development of joint intra- and extra-regional trade promotions through the ASEAN Tuna Working Group. Strengthening the promotion of neritic tuna and fishery products of small economic entities. Development of an appropriate mechanism through R&D focal points and clear policy regulation/direction.
