Report of the South Andaman Sea Subregional Consultative Meeting, Phuket, Thailand, 11-13 October 2011 was prepared by the Secretariat of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Report of the South Andaman Sea Subregional Consultative Meeting, Phuket, Thailand, 11-13 October 2011, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. The South Andaman Sea Subregional Consultative Meeting held in Phuket, Thailand from 11-13 October 2011, organized by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Report of the Southern Andaman Sea Sub-Regional Advisory Meeting, Phuket, Thailand, October 11-13, 2011.
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
Wudtichai Wungkhahart, Director of the Andaman Fisheries Research and Development Center, provided information on the status of the Indo-Pacific Mackerel (Rastrelliger brachysoma) in the Andaman Sea coast of Thailand based on the three groups of stock distribution and its biological characteristics. The target species focused on the Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) and short mackerel (R. brachysoma) which considered research results on migration of the target species in the Andaman Sea. The Assembly also noted that BOBLME will continue to support the study on the transboundary areas of the Indian mackerel (R. kanagurta) in the BOBLME member country areas and may consider the short mackerel (R. brachysoma) in the Andaman Sea.
Panitnard Taladon, SEAFDEC/TD Officer, highlighted the project on 'Human Resources Development and Awareness Program for Sustainable Fisheries and Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in Southeast Asia', which aims to build and strengthen Member States' knowledge on fisheries management to combat against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. fisheries and building capacity and knowledge on appropriate tools and methodologies for collecting fisheries information and statistics.
PLENARY DISCUSSION
It was suggested that a preliminary assessment of mackerel stock improvement and habitat management in the Andaman Sea be made in the near future. The priority and specific area of study of Rastrelliger spp should be carried out in a small group of core experts, as well as reviewing the BOBLME pre-assessment report that has already identified recommendations for partner countries in mackerel management. Changing from HP to GT is difficult as it is due to the purpose of the boat and sometimes fishermen change the engine.
Regarding MCS implementation, the movement of vessels in transboundary area should also be monitored, including monitoring the landing of catches in foreign fishing ports, transhipment catch at sea, and also how to share information between countries to avoid double registration or misreporting.
RECOMMENDATION
Activities related to monitoring inventory status should be planned jointly by the three countries so that the activities of individual countries can be collected and provided with a better picture from a broader perspective. Moreover, a formal mechanism for agreements (MOU or otherwise) on key issues between the three countries should be developed, e.g. Institutional collaboration and information sharing. There is a need to strengthen institutional cooperation and information sharing among agencies and other partners at provincial, national and sub-regional levels.
Systems should be developed for the surveillance, monitoring and control of the intrusion of larger ships into coastal waters.
CLOSING OF THE MEETING
Kementerian Perikanan Malaysia Kantor Perikanan Kedah Lantai 5, Wisma Persekutuan Jalan Kampung Baru. Departemen Ilmu Perairan Fakultas Sumber Daya Alam Universitas Prince of Songkla 15 Kamjanavanich Road, Hat Yai Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
To ensure the sustainability and the benefits for people in coastal provinces, there is a need for the three countries to compare their sets of rules and restrictions (closed seasons, etc.) to find a way to reach common approaches and agree on rules that apply to the entire sub-sub-sub region. In response to the action necessary to combat illegal and destructive fishing, the countries in the sub-sub-region must meet both the requirements of a flag state and the requirements of a port state. The intention of this sub-sub-regional event is to follow up on the three on-site events held during 2010 and 2011 in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand respectively, as well as with reference to the First Andaman Sea Meeting held in October 2009 is. in collaboration with the BOBLME.
With an ambition to support the development of sub-subregional agreements/arrangements based on an ecosystem approach to fisheries through the integration of fisheries and habitat management, including streamlining responses to climate change, the meeting should look for action-oriented recommendations for the development of common approaches and agreements to to resolve problems/issues common to all three countries in this triangular area in the south-eastern part of the Andaman Sea. The meeting should identify appropriate actions and timetables as possible for continued work and cooperation at the sub-subregional level. Recommendations from field events conducted in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand will be reviewed as a basis for identifying areas and steps to be taken to facilitate sub-sub-regional cooperation and to support and build on good/promising local organizations and initiatives.
Recommendations, based on an understanding of the benefits of integrated fisheries and habitat management, support for an EAF and the importance of responding to the effects of climate change, provided in appropriate actions and timelines, as/if possible, for ongoing work, collaboration and potential areas for agreement at the sub-regional level based on reviews of recommendations from field events conducted in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Action points developed for building an MCS network in the sub-region, initially by sharing information with the steps identified to create an MCS team between the three countries (refer to the MCS "matrix" for relevant institutions) p . Areas suitable for promoting conservation/rehabilitation and management of important and protective habitats (including areas suggested for mangrove rehabilitation).
Identified steps and measures for follow-up on opportunities for joint sub-sub-regional approaches for the regulation of fishing on and for the conservation of Rastrelliger spp. Gaps have been identified indicating areas for continued review and the need to strengthen the institutional procedures, local policies, implications for the sub-sub-region of national and international laws regarding fisheries and habitat management, including management of fishing capacity and improved human well-being in the subregion.
Transport vessels and supply vessels, the development of which is intended to assist relevant agencies in the fight to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing and related activities.
Survey and data collection (e.g. on fish length, study of gonadal index, catch trend over time, etc.) should be further carried out on spawning grounds and migration of small pelagic species in transboundary areas (especially in the identified fishing grounds). Management advice should be formulated and provided to countries, which may also include the need to establish a joint management body among relevant countries. Although it is widely recognized that scientific data and information on mackerel resources are currently still insufficient; A precautionary approach should be used when developing management plans for the sub-region.
The relevant data/information that is already available must be mobilized to serve as a basis for the establishment of this plan. Collection of data/information on spawning areas/seasons should be done by countries – by 1 year – Thailand has already collected the data on spawning areas/seasons, and will further review the relevant available data. When countries have collected information, the information should be further collected by SEAFDEC for compilation and use as a basis for the development of a local Mackerel Management Plan.
The involvement of local organizations in the entire management process should be promoted/strengthened (in line with the EAF approach). Information dissemination, communication and awareness activities should be carried out to increase the understanding of local communities and relevant stakeholders on the importance of fisheries management and the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF). The roles of local organizations/communities in providing information and knowledge based on the current situation should be strengthened, e.g.
Information must be mobilized and incorporated with other data and information (eg from research, statistics, etc.). The report from this meeting should be submitted to the national coordinator for BOBLME of each country so that the activities can be included in the work plan.
Thailand: local waters landed by Thai/flagged vessel must submit logbook showing catch from Thai waters, whether joint venture or offshore fishing. For foreign flag/vessels that fish in each country's waters must submit a catch certificate to the port where the catch is landed. The Malsindo Program – the collaboration of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia can be used as an example for the investigation of fishing vessels.
Reporting of fishing vessel from any of the 3 countries that landed in any of the 3 countries. Areas of border overlap need to be cleared especially the territorial waters between Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia and Malaysia have a Joint Cooperation Mechanism (JCM) to reduce conflict related to overlapping claims (but the group decided not to discuss in detail as it did not fulfill our mandate).
Thailand and Malaysia have cleared border areas as TH and ML have a Joint Development Area (JDA). Information to be shared may include: date of arrest, location, type of crime, crew name, vessel registration, flag state and name, crew name, fishing gear. Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have an existing mechanism for joint cooperation among those countries in the Straits of Malacca under the Maritime Control Coordination Centre.
Thailand would like to explore the possibility of the country joining the mechanism in the future. The JBC should be strengthened as an example mechanism and the possibility of expanding such a mechanism to three countries could be explored.
To sell the boat in another country, it is recommended that the owner or fisherman obtain the approval document from the authorized agency (MD).
