Capacity building towards sustainable fisheries Human Resources Development for Sustainable Fisheries

In support of the capacity building efforts of SEAFDEC towards sustainable fisheries, TD continued to implement the project “Human Resources Development (HRD) for Sustainable Fisheries” in 2018 with the conduct of a series of regional, national and on-site training courses in Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand on the application of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and fisheries extension methodologies toward sustainable fisheries development. Starting in 2016, the project activities were adjusted towards the application of the transferred knowledge in pilot learning sites to improve the incomes of fishers and establish fisheries management plans for the respective sites.

In 2018, activities were undertaken in the pilot learning sites in Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia; while the activities for the pilot learning site in Lao PDR are planned for 2019.

In Thailand, the “Training Course on Sustainable Fisheries Management” was organized by TD on 14-18 May 2018 in Surat Thani Province. Participated by participants from the Department of Fisheries (DOF) of Thailand who have been involved in developing and promoting fisheries management plans, the Training focused on subjects such as holistic approach to fisheries management, reduction and management of conflicts among stakeholders, and so on. From the Training, nine participants were identified to serve as trainers on the subject and participated in the subsequent “Training of Trainers for Sustainable Fisheries Management” organized on 5-7 June 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand.

While obtaining better understanding of the sustainable fisheries management, the participants had also been equipped with the capacity to organize similar training sessions using the various approaches to support future training in their respective countries.

The Technical Meeting of Transboundary Species:

Indo-Pacific Mackerel (19-20 December 2018, Bangkok, Thailand)

Species: Indo-Pacific Mackerel in the Gulf of Thailand” from 19 to 20 December 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition to the discussion on the results of the DNA Study, the Meeting also established the way forward for the development of joint management plan for Indo-Pacific mackerels in the Gulf of Thailand Sub-region to ensure the sustainability of the resources based on the available scientific evidence.

Training Course on Sustainable Fisheries Management (14-18 May 2018, Surat Thani Province, Thailand)

Training of Trainers for Sustainable Fisheries Management (5-7 June 2018, Bangkok, Thailand) For Myanmar, the activities in 2018 continued to focus on improving the incomes of fishers through responsible and sustainable fisheries being promoted by SEAFDEC in Thahton Township, Mon State, Myanmar. The results of the “Workshop on Development of the Fisheries Management Plan” organized by TD in 2017 for participants from Myanmar, provided an opportunity for the participants to observe and gain knowledge on mud crab culture in Thailand that they could adapt in the country and help increase the incomes of fishers. After the site visit to Thailand, TD carried out the activity as a part of its fisheries extension work, at the pilot site in Thahton Township in 2018 on two occasions, i.e. 6-10 May and 24-26 September 2018.

As for Cambodia, the pilot site was in the Prek Thnot Commune, Teok Chhou District, Kampot Province, where TD organized the “Training-Workshop on the Development of Fisheries Management Plan” during 4-7 September 2018 in Rayong Province, Thailand for fisheries officers and fishers from Cambodia. The Training-Workshop was aimed at strengthening the participants’ understanding of the process of developing fisheries management plan and providing capacity building on the existing methods to increase the incomes of the fishing communities.

Activities in pilot-learning sites in Thahton Township, Mon State, Myanmar

Training-Workshop on the Development of Fisheries Management Plan for fisheries officers from Cambodia (4-7 September 2018, Rayong Province, Thailand) HRD for Enhancing Coastal Community Resilience for Muslim Communities

During 2016-2017, MFRDMD implemented the project “Enhancing Coastal Community Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood and Coastal Resources Management” with support from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) with the main objective of improving the socio- economic status of the coastal community through the community fisheries organization and governance. Specifically, the Project has enhanced the capacity and capability of fishers and women in the fishing community to improve their social well-being and contribute to poverty alleviation; and built the capacity of fishing communities to engage in sustainable livelihoods and improve coastal resource management. With the Muslim communities in the region’s coastal areas, particularly the countries with the highest Muslim populations as the target beneficiaries, the Project was implemented in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In 2017, MFRDMD carried out seven capacity building activities for related fisheries associations in the three countries involving more than 300 participants. Moreover, 11 capacity building activities were also conducted for coastal communities involving 283 participants. To conclude this project, the “Terminal Regional Technical Consultation on Enhancing Coastal Community Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood and Coastal Resources Management” was conducted on 20-22 March 2018 in Brunei Darussalam, and was attended by the representatives and community leaders from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, and officers from MFRDMD.

Terminal Regional Technical Consultation on Enhancing Coastal Community Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood and Coastal

Resources Management (20-22 March 2018, Brunei Darussalam)

Training on mud crab culture in cages in Brunei Darussalam

Although this project was originally scheduled for completion in 2017, but due to some technical problems, the proposed activities could not be completed by 2017. The project was therefore extended to 2018 with the conduct of five (5) capacity building activities, i.e.

mud crab culture in cages training; seafood processing training; and a series of capacity development training on seafood processing.

Specifically for the training on mud crab culture, the training was conducted on 24-25 April 2018 at Brunei Muara River, Brunei Darussalam with four (4) participants attended in this training. After the training, participants were able to identify and analyze the suitability of sites for mud crab culture in cages using relevant instruments for measuring water temperature, pH, Iron (Fe), and salinity. Participants also gained knowledge on mud crab culture to promote and enhance the socio-economic status of their coastal communities.

For the training on seafood processing, the training was conducted in collaboration with Terengganu State Fisheries Department on 13-15 May 2018 at the Extension and Fisheries Technology Center, Seberang Takir, Terengganu. There were 14 participants, two of which are DOF Officers, involved in this training. During the training, the participants were trained on the importance of producing safe and good fisheries products. All trained participants were able to learn the theory and practice on processing of seafood products, namely: fish ball, fish cake, fish nugget, ‘keropok lekor,’ modern and traditional fish ‘sata’ and snow fish.

Training on seafood processing in Brunei Darussalam

Three series training on seafood processing in Brunei Darussalam

As for the Capacity Development Training on Seafood Processing, there were three (3) training programs conducted by the participants that were previously trained by the seafood processing training in Terengganu, Malaysia. The trainings were conducted at: 1) Pusat Aktiviti Pelancong MPK Sungai Bunga MPK on 4-5 July 2018, by trained members from Sg Bunga; 2) Secondary School Hall, Tutong District on 6-8 July 2018, by trained members from MPK Penabai Kuala Tutong and Sg Teraban; and 3) Department of Fisheries Brunei Darussalam on 11-12 July 2018, by trained members from MPK Masjid Lama, Pekan Muara, Sabun and Pelumpong. There were 85 participants, two of which are DOF officers, involved in the training. During the training, the trained participants that previously trained in Terengganu, Malaysia were able to serve as trainers for their own respective communities;

and new seafood products were introduced to communities in Brunei Darussalam.

The project was able to attain significant involvement of the fisheries organizations and stakeholders, particularly the Muslim fishing communities in the Southeast Asian region in the planning and undertaking of activities on sustainable livelihood and coastal resource management; enhanced not only of the standard of living of coastal communities, but also food security and job opportunities as well as strengthened the stakeholders’ initiatives to protect and conserve the coastal environment. Furthermore, this project also gave a positive impact on the coastal communities to have new alternative livelihood opportunities after acquiring skills from the various training programs conducted under this project.

For the way forward for participating communities under this project, program of activities, i.e. for development, environment management, and ecotourism development, have been summarized. This is with a view to commercializing quality fish and fishery products;

establish one-stop-center for repairing fishing net, engine and fiberglass boats; develop alternative livelihood such as ecotourism; and enhance sustainable fisheries management.

Tailor-made Training Programs

TD also provided support to the human resources development activities of SEAFDEC through its “Tailor-made Training Programs,” where training could be designed and conducted based on the specific requirements of requesting agencies and countries.

The first tailor-made training in 2018 was the “Pilot Project on Capacity Building of Thai Crews for Fishing Vessels” organized from 11 March to 2 April 2018 at TD premises in Samut Prakan, Thailand upon the request of the National Farmer Council of Thailand in collaboration with the DOF Thailand, Thai Fisheries Association, Ministry of Labor, Marine Department, Internal Security Affairs Bureau, and the Naval Operations Department.

Attended by fifteen participants, the training was designed to develop the participants’

understanding, capacity, and skills on fishing operations for them to be able to work as crew onboard fishing vessels in the future. The training also enhanced the participants’

knowledge on fishing gears and operations, safety at sea, fishery and labor laws, as well as gave them the opportunity to undertake fishing operation practices at sea.

Subsequently, TD conducted the “Short-term Training Course on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) for University Students” on 12-22 June 2018 at the TD premises in Samut Prakan, Thailand. Attended by 30 students from universities in Thailand and Japan, the Training was aimed at: 1) extending knowledge and better understanding on the concepts and principles of EAFM, basic fisheries and oceanographic surveys, and small- scale fishing gears; 2) providing experiences in assembling fishing gears for them to carry out during onboard practices; 3) giving the students opportunities to get involved with the way of life in fishing communities around the coastal areas; and 4) building up the network among students from different universities as well as strengthening their attitudes towards the teamwork approach.

2 Strategy II: Supporting the sustainable growth of aquaculture to complement fisheries and contribute to food security, poverty alleviation and livelihood of people in the region