Support sea-trial, survey, data collection of the selected countries/area for offshore fisheries resources exploration

141 3.2.2 Expected Final Goal of the Project:

- Information available for potential fishery resources in offshore areas in the Southeast Asian region; and - A set of recommendations for the medium- and long-term development and management plan for exploration

of offshore fishery resources in the Southeast Asian region 3.2.3 “Steps” Toward Achieving Final Goal:

Step 1: Review and gather information on the national, regional, and international initiatives related to offshore

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142 3.2.6 Evaluation of Project Activities in 2013

Sub-regional joint research plan and its draft framework with activities to be implemented for sustainable utilization of the tuna fisheries resources in Sulu-Sulawesi Seas were developed. The national counterparts are requested to secure the budget for implementation of the plan of activities from 2014 and onwards.

4. PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2014

Activity 1 Organization of the regional training course on offshore fisheries resources exploration Two (2) training courses will be organized under this activity, including: (i) offshore fisheries resources survey; and (ii) improvement of post-harvest fish handling at sea. Designing of the contents of the training courses will be based on the recommendations made at the workshop held in 2013. In 2014, support of the project on offshore fisheries resources exploration by M.V. SEAFDEC2 and other national cruise will be main activities of the project. The regional training course on post-harvest fish handling will be organized onboard M.V. SEAFDEC2 back-to-back with the cruise survey of M.V. SEAFDEC2 in the EEZ of the Member Countries (Vietnam in 2014). The activity will also include information gathering on offshore fisheries resources exploration in the Member Countries based on sub-regional offshore fisheries resources survey.

Activity 2 Modification/revision of the offshore sampling gears and their handbook

Handbook of sampling gears compiled by the project in cooperation with the Member Countries and other relevant agencies will be disseminated through appropriate events of SEAFDEC and other relevant initiatives. Its revision will also be made.

Activity 3 Technical supports of TD to the cruise survey

The activity includes support of the project to the joint research plan on tuna stock assessment in Sulu- Sulawesi Seas that was developed in 2013, including technical meeting and staff onboard M.V.

SEAFDEC2. Major outputs from the activity implementation will be disseminated and shared among participating countries and other relevant initiatives, and to be used as the references.

4.1 Planning of the Project Activities

Activity/inputs Duration Remarks

Activity 1:

Organization of the regional training course on offshore fisheries resources exploration

1.1 Design of the training course

To follow-up the recommendations made at the first project meeting held in 2013, the training courses in 2014 and onwards will be designed and adjusted concurrently with other national initiatives.

1.2 Training course for researchers

1.2.1 Training course or regional workshop on offshore fisheries resource survey

The recommendations made at the first meeting of the project held in 2013 will be used as a basis for development of the training course or technical workshop on offshore fisheries resources exploration.

Beneficiaries include researchers and fishing gear technologist who are involving with regional/national activities related to offshore fisheries resources survey.

1.2.2 Training course on improvement of post-harvest fish handling at sea

The regional training courses on improvement of post-harvest fish handling at sea will be organized back-to-back with the cruise survey in Vietnam (or in the area of Sulu-Sulawesi Sea as planned in 2013 where appropriate).

143

Activity/inputs Duration Remarks

Activity 2

Modification of the offshore sampling gears and their handbook

2.1 Review of the current handbook and publication 2.2 Modification/revision of the handbook

Regional initiatives on compilation and revision of the technical handbook and guideline on sampling gears and survey methodology for offshore fisheries resources exploration will be continued.

Activity 3 Technical support of TD to the cruise survey

3.1 Support for developing the survey plan and to monitor the progress of the survey

Project will continue to provide technical support the process of implementation on the joint research activity on tuna stock assessment in Sulu-Sulawesi Seas based on the sequence of the activities planned/adjusted by the sub-regional working groups that were established and agreed at the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea meeting in 2013.

3.2 Technical staff of TD join the cruise survey

Project will support technical staff of TD to join the cruise survey in Vietnam and Sulu-Sulawesi seas, based on the survey planning and arrangement of the cruise in their respective countries.

3.3 Establishment of mechanism for sharing data of the results from the survey

Project will maintain the mechanism for sharing data and support information sharing of the research survey in offshore areas of the Member Countries.

3.4 Publications of the meeting and survey reports

Progress report of the joint research on tuna stock assessment in Sulu- Sulawesi seas, and summary report of the cruise survey in Vietnam waters will be published and disseminated to the participating countries and others.

4.2 Expected Outcomes/Outputs of the Year 2014

Based on the outputs from the training courses conducted in 2014, it is expected that knowledge and skill on offshore fisheries resource exploration (sampling gears, stock assessment for offshore fisheries resources, post- harvest technologies, etc.) of the fisheries officials of the Member Countries will be enhanced. At that time, M.V. SEAFDEC 2 can also be utilized for the trainings. Regarding the outputs from the project based on the research survey planned for using M.V. SEAFDEC 2, it is envisaged that the results from the survey will provide policy recommendation for future planning and management of fisheries resources in the offshore waters of the participating Member Countries.

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Appendix 16 of Annex 4 PROJECT DOCUMENT

Project id: 041002 Program

Categories:

Programs under the Fisheries Consultative Group of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (FCG/ASSP) Mechanism

Project Title: Research and Management of Sea Turtles in Foraging Habitats in the Southeast Asian Waters.

Program Thrust: IV Total Duration: 5 yrs (2010-2014) Lead Department: MFRDMD Lead Country: Malaysia

Project Sponsor: Japanese Trust Fund Project Partner: TD & TUMEC, DoF Malaysia

Proposed Budget: USD 11,500 This year budget: [2013] USD 30,466 Prepared by Masaya Katoh, Deputy

Chief

Project Leader Mr. Syed Abdullah & Ms.

Wahidah 1. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

Southeast Asian countries have been recognized as one of major nesting sites for sea turtles in the world.

These reptiles are highly migratory and share several certain foraging habitats in the Southeast Asian region. Thus, regional cooperation among Member Countries in conserving sea turtles is vital to ensure their survival. In addition, regional effort should be undertaken to reduce the mortality especially due to accidental catch by fishing gears. This project is aimed to conduct several research activities to collect information about sea turtles in the foraging habitats, to reduce sea turtle mortality by fisheries, and to formulate the management plans of fisheries to protect sea turtles in this region.

Sea turtle activities correspond to #5 of Resolution at the ASEAN-SEAFDEC conference in 2011 (Further develop regional initiatives to promote a responsible fisheries management mechanism, taking into account the specific social, economic, cultural, ecological and institutional contexts and diversity of ASEAN and ASEAN fisheries in the spirit of the development of the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community) and #29 of Plan of Action (Recognizing the different management approaches that are required, sustainably manage major critical coastal habitats, such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass; and develop and disseminate information and guidance on appropriate tools and interventions).

The performance indicators will be numbers of tagged sea turtles and studied individuals for DNA analysis in the research activities and publication of the plan of action for managing foraging habitats of sea turtles in the region.

2. PROJECT

2.1 Goal/Overall Objectives and Performance Indicators:

The objectives of this project are:

1) To collect ecological parameters of several pilot foraging habitats of sea turtles to study the key factors to manage these areas for sea turtle conservation;

2) To collect, compile, and review information of sea turtles migration corridors, nesting/foraging habitats, and their population structures in the region by genetic, satellite tracking, and conventional tagging studies for conservation and enhancement of the sea turtle populations in the ASEAN region;

3) To review fishing activities in the region which are possibly interacting with sea turtle populations in their foraging/nesting habitats and migration routes in space and time;

4) To promote responsible fishing gears and practices by conducting commercial demonstrations and experimental trials of modified specific fishing gears to protect sea turtle populations in the region; and 5) To formulate and propose management plans on fishing activities and other activities to conserve and

enhance sea turtle populations in the region based on the scientific information.

145 2.2 Expected Outcomes and Outputs:

The expected outputs of the project include the biological and ecological information of sea turtles and their foraging habitats, which can be used for development of the management and conservation plans of sea turtles, and promotion of mitigation measures for fisheries suitable for the ASEAN region to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles.

The regional plan of action on sea turtle foraging habitats will be formulated by the end of the project.

Through implementation of the plan of action, incentives for conservation among fishers and ordinary people will be established in the future. The incentives for conservation will be expected outcomes.

2.3 Project Description/Framework Activity 1: Meeting/Workshop

SEAFDEC/MFRDMD organized two workshops and one regional meeting and three preparatory meetings to implement the project. The meeting participants discussed an action plan for managing foraging habitats of sea turtles in the region.

Activity 2: Research on Sea Turtle Foraging Populations

SEAFDEC/MFRDMD and other partner organizations with participants from selected Member Countries conducted two scientific surveys for ecological parameters in pilot foraging habitats (Lawas and Mabul and Sipadan islands). During the surveys, tissue samples of sea turtles were obtained for genetic study.

Probable natal origins were defined through Mixed Stock Analysis (MSA) of mtDNA sequencing data employing Bayes software. Inconel tagging activities were continued in Member Countries. MFRDMD conducted the satellite telemetry study. Information about sea turtle poaching will be discussed at the regional meeting. All available scientific data have been used to prepare an action plan for managing foraging habitats of sea turtles in the region.

Activity 3: Interaction between Sea Turtles and Fishing (TD)

TD conducted the study for modification of responsible fishing gears and their practices to reduce the sea turtles by-catch. The use of c-hook in hook-and-line fishing was promoted in SEAFDEC Member Countries.

Activity 4: Action Plan for Managing Foraging Habitats of Sea Turtles

An action plan for managing foraging habitats of sea turtles in the region has been formulated based on the scientific information. The action plan includes management on fishing activities that threaten adult sea turtles and abatement of egg poaching. The purpose of the action plan is to conserve and enhance sea turtle populations in the region.

Activity 5: Publication

Two reports (i) Regional Plan of Action; and (ii) Information on Sea Turtle Populations and Migration of Sea Turtles will be published. The report (ii) intends to summarize sea turtle activities conducted by SEAFDEC/MFRDMD since the first workshop on marine turtle research and conservation in 1996.

3. PROGRESS/ACHIEVEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2013 3.1 Activities Achievements in the Year 2013

Achievements based on Activities Duration Remarks Activity 2: Research on Sea Turtle Foraging Populations

Sub-Activity 2.2: Genetic study

During the scientific survey for ecological parameters in a pilot foraging habitat (Mabul and Sipadan islands) in 2011, more than 80 green sea turtles inhabiting there were captured. Tissue samples collected from these sea turtles were preserved appropriately and analyzed for genetic study of sea turtle subpopulation structures in the region. The mtDNA markers were used for the genetic analysis. Probable natal origins were defined through Mixed Stock Analysis (MSA) of mtDNA sequencing data employing Bayes software.

Jan. -Dec.

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146 Sub-Activity 2.3: Tagging study

Inconel tagging activities were continued in Member Countries.

Sub-Activity 2.5: Information collection of sea turtle poaching

Information about sea turtle poaching will be discussed at the regional meeting in October 2013.

Activity 4: Action Plan for Managing Foraging Habitats of Sea Turtles Sub-Activity 4.1: Formulation of Action Plan for managing foraging habitats of sea turtles

The regional plan of action on sea turtle foraging habitats has been formulated based on the scientific information. The plan of action includes management on fishing activities that threaten adult sea turtles and abatement of egg poaching.

The purpose of the plan of action is to conserve and enhance sea turtle populations in the region.

Jan.-Dec.

October

Jan.-Dec.

3.2 Evaluation of the Project Outcomes Till the Year 2013 3.2.1 Theme/Program Thrust and Issues:

(1) Theme/Program Thrust:

Research and management of sea turtles in foraging habitats in the Southeast Asian waters/

Thrust IV: Providing Policy & Advisory Services for Planning & Executing Management of Fisheries (2) Issues in the region at the beginning of the study:

Conservation of endangered marine animals in relation to fisheries is now matters of global concern. In the Southeast Asian region, six of the seven species of sea turtles in the world are distributed. They are highly migratory and recognized as the endangered species. Successful conservation and enhancement of sea turtle resources requires the scientific evidences on their ecological aspects such as migratory routes, reproductive and feeding behaviors and genetic structure, and on the status of incidental catch and habitat reduction related to their mortality.

3.2.2 Expected Final Goal of the Project:

- To contribute to the formulation of a management/action plan of sea turtles inhabited in the ASEAN region with reference to the biological and ecological information;

- To contribute to the formulation of management plans of fisheries that are suspected to have relationship with sea turtle habitats in space and time;

- To develop and distribute mitigation measures for fisheries suitable for the ASEAN region to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles.

3.2.3 “Steps” Toward Achieving Final Goal:

Step 1: Conservation and management of sea turtles

In document THE THIRTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE PROGRAM COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT CENTER (pahina 157-162)