SEAFDEC/Training Department

11/09/2026

10/09/2026

𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗗𝗘𝗖 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼-𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), through its Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD), continues to strengthen sustainable small-scale fisheries management by promoting the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), participatory governance, and co-management approaches that can generate practical lessons for application in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.

Under the Japanese Trust Fund-supported project, “Improving Fishers’ Livelihood and Fisheries Co-Management in Inland and Coastal Small-Scale Fisheries,” SEAFDEC/TD works with national and local partners to translate fisheries management concepts into practical approaches at selected pilot areas. Experiences and lessons generated through these activities are intended to support capacity development and provide practical references for strengthening small-scale fisheries management at the national and regional levels.

In Thailand, Bangsaphan District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, serves as one of the pilot areas for demonstrating how EAFM and co-management can be put into practice through collaboration among government agencies, fishing communities, local authorities, and the private sector.

As part of this process, SEAFDEC/TD, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF), Thailand, convened a Multi-Stakeholder Dissemination Workshop on Implementing the EAFM Plan in Bangsaphan District on 9 September 2026 at the Bangsaphan District Office. The workshop brought together 29 stakeholders, comprising 16 men and 13 women, representing government agencies, local administrative organizations, the Bangsaphan Fisheries Network, fisheries associations, national park authorities, and private-sector partners, including Sahaviriya Steel Industries and Prachuap Port.

The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to develop a common understanding of the EAFM Plan, including its key priorities, proposed management actions, and implementation arrangements. Through dialogue and exchange of experiences, participants explored opportunities to align their ongoing and planned activities with the EAFM Plan and contribute to its implementation.

Building on the workshop, SEAFDEC/TD continued its engagement with local stakeholders through a local action-planning meeting on 10 September 2026, involving the DOF, the Bangsaphan Fisheries Network, and key private-sector stakeholders. A total of 31 participants, comprising 27 men and 4 women, participated in the meeting. The meeting focused on translating the EAFM Plan into practical implementation by developing an EAFM implementation action plan, reviewing potential collaborative activities, and identifying and prioritizing key actions.

The two-day engagement demonstrates how EAFM can be translated from planning into coordinated action through multi-stakeholder participation and partnerships. The experience from Bangsaphan will contribute practical lessons on participatory fisheries governance, community-based fisheries management, and co-management that can inform similar efforts in other areas.

Through this and other pilot activities, SEAFDEC will continue to facilitate regional learning, capacity development, and exchange of practical experiences among Member Countries, with the broader aim of advancing sustainable fisheries, strengthening the resilience of small-scale fishing communities, and improving livelihoods across Southeast Asia.

10/09/2026

𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗗𝗘𝗖/𝗧𝗗 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Five staff members from the SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) involved in the combating IUU fishing project participated in the SAFET Conference 2026, themed “From Innovation to Implementation: Powering Responsible Fisheries, Markets, and Livelihoods,” held from 8 to 10 September 2026 in Cebu, Philippines. During the conference, Mr. Kongpathai Saraphaivanich, a representative from SEAFDEC/TD, was invited to serve as a panelist in the side event "Bridging the Fisheries Technology Divide" during the session "Emerging Technologies Advancing Regional Cooperation and Solidarity in Southeast Asia Fisheries Management" on 9 September 2026. The side event brought together government fisheries representatives and technology experts to explore how emerging technologies can support stronger regional cooperation across Southeast Asia. The session addressed regional priorities for technology adoption alongside practical case studies in areas such as fisheries monitoring, traceability, and data management. Discussions focused on how technology can strengthen cross-border cooperation, improve market access, and empower coastal and small-scale fishing communities.

The SAFET Conference 2026 brought together over 300 global leaders from government, industry, NGOs, fishing communities, technology providers, and the scientific community. Through interactive panels, roundtables, fireside chats, and real-world technology demonstrations, participants explored practical challenges facing practitioners while discovering proven, cutting-edge tech solutions for sustainable fisheries. The conference emphasized deep, interactive networking and post-event engagement to spark collaborations that shape future projects, partnerships, and field practices.

09/09/2026

⚓ 🎧 𝗘𝗞𝟴𝟬 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 🌊 📡

After leaving port on 9 September 2026, M.V. SEAFDEC 2 headed toward the designated station to calibrate the SIMRAD EK80 scientific echosounder—an essential step before commencing the hydroacoustic survey. Upon arrival, the vessel anchored to begin the calibration process.

Hydroacoustic surveying is one of the major objectives of this research cruise. Miss Saruttaya, leader of the Hydroacoustic Survey Activity, began preparations and coordinated closely with the vessel crew responsible for operating the fishing rod system. The crew carefully adjusted the position of the calibration sphere beneath each transducer to ensure accurate calibration.

This calibration process is crucial for ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and quality of acoustic data collected during the survey. 🎯 🌊

🔬 Precise preparation today — reliable scientific data tomorrow.

/TD

09/09/2026

𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗶 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗠.𝗩. 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗗𝗘𝗖 𝟮

Marking a significant collaborative effort, M.V. SEAFDEC 2—carrying joint researchers from SEAFDEC/TD and DOF Brunei Darussalam, alongside its dedicated crew—completed all preparations and proudly embarked on the research survey cruise on 9 September 2026.

The official departure ceremony was chaired by Mrs. Hajah Wanidawati binti Haji Tamat, Acting Director of Fisheries, DOF Brunei Darussalam. Researchers and officers attended the event, which concluded with a commemorative group photo.

The main objectives of this survey cruise are to assess fishery resources using hydroacoustic surveys and bottom trawl sampling. Additionally, environmental samples will be collected—including seawater, sediment, juvenile fish, and marine microplastics—along with other relevant data.

We extend our best wishes to the entire research team for a highly productive and successful survey. Above all, we wish everyone on board a safe and smooth voyage. Fair winds and following seas!

09/09/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗨𝗨 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

The Training Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/TD) organized the “Capacity Building on Awareness of Innovation and Technology Tools to Combat IUU Fishing at the SAFET Conference” from 8 to 10 September 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines. The activity was conducted under the project “Strengthening Regional Fisheries Governance to Combat IUU Fishing in the Indo-Pacific Through Capacity Building Support to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center and ASEAN Member States,” with support from the Government of Canada.

A total of 12 participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand, together with SEAFDEC/TD staff, participated in the activity. The activity aimed to strengthen the capacity of fisheries authorities from ASEAN Member States in the application and understanding of innovative technologies and tools for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as to enhance regional cooperation and knowledge exchange on technology-driven approaches to fisheries Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS).

Through participation in the SAFET Conference, the participants gained insights into emerging innovations, technology tools, and best practices relevant to fisheries management and MCS. The conference also provided opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and experiences with experts, technology providers, and other stakeholders on the potential use of innovative solutions to strengthen efforts to combat IUU fishing.

In addition, SEAFDEC/TD conducted a back-to-back side event on 10 September 2026, focusing on knowledge sharing and the exchange of experiences and lessons learned from the SAFET Conference. During the side event, participants discussed innovative technologies and best practices of interest, their relevance to national MCS priorities, and the potential application and integration of these approaches within their respective countries. The discussion also provided an opportunity to identify possible follow-up actions for strengthening the use of innovative technologies in support of national and regional efforts to combat IUU fishing.

08/09/2026

𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗗𝗘𝗖/𝗧𝗗 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗠𝗙𝗚) 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗶 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺

On 8 September 2026, following a request from the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Brunei Darussalam to SEAFDEC/TD, Mr. Santiphong Putsa, Fishing Technology Researcher and the lead for fishing operations during the survey cruise onboard M.V. SEAFDEC 2, provided technical support on the Marking of Fishing Gear (MFG) and its installation to DOF Brunei Darussalam officers. He highlighted the importance of MFG and practical installation methods, referring to the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear (VGMFG).

The demonstration covered fishing gear that will be used during the upcoming survey, such as the bottom trawl, drift gillnet, and bottom vertical longline.

It was a valuable hands-on learning session for the Brunei fisheries officers. The knowledge and experience gained will support DOF Brunei Darussalam in further developing fishing gear marking practices and sharing them with local fishers. This initiative will promote responsible fishing practices and contribute to the prevention and reduction of ALDFG in Brunei Darussalam.