Report of the sub-regional meeting on the Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand, 24-26 February 2009, prepared by the Secretariat of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). The document is distributed to meeting participants, SEAFDEC Member States, SEAFDEC Divisions and relevant institutions. Report of the Subregional Meeting on the Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand, 24-26 February 2009, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.
INTRODUCTION
OPENING OF THE MEETING
CONCERNS ON FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE GULF OF
During the Gulf of Thailand sub-regional meeting in March 2008, there was a strong emphasis on "the need for good port control". The meeting welcomed the opportunity to discuss the definition of IUU fishing established under the FAO IPOA-IUU Voluntary Framework and to review it in the context of the Gulf of Thailand and further cooperation under the Gulf of Thailand umbrella. One of the key elements in the process of consolidating the FAO definition was the general view that any reference to regional fisheries management organizations was unnecessary in the context of the Gulf of Thailand.
The recognition of the Gulf of Thailand as a suitable sub-region provided the basis for the organization of the 1st Sub-Regional Meeting on the Gulf of Thailand in March 2008. This was further developed in dialogue with other countries around the Gulf of Thailand (and Indonesian and the Philippines) within the Fisheries component of the UNEP/GEF project "Reversal of Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand" (which is worth noting the distinction made between South -China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand). The Assembly discussed the likelihood of similar spawning and migration patterns on the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand (Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand) and the southern part between Malaysia and Thailand.
The management arrangement could be based on the mechanisms and methods that have been used in the western part of the Gulf of Thailand, as shown in the management and conservation of Pla Too.
CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS10
The development of the agreement and the draft agreement have been facilitated by the UNEP/GEF South China Sea Project – these agreements will form an important base for the ongoing UNEP/GEF project focusing on fisheries and habitat management (refugia) in the Gulf of Thailand. The question was raised as to how far the Gulf of Thailand would move into more regulated management arrangements for the Gulf. No direct answer was given during this meeting, but based on the discussions, it could be important to revisit the institutional (and legal) basis for a management system (fisheries, marine environment, etc.) in an area like the Gulf of Thailand (i.e. entirely within the national requirements of EEZs etc.).
Geographic coverage of the Gulf of Thailand, applicable to this Gulf of Thailand group, basically follows the administrative boundaries of Cambodia and Thailand as well as relevant parts of Malaysia and Vietnam. Marine Fishing Area of Thailand (Gulf of Thailand); (2) Subarea 71 b: Marine Fishing Area of Cambodia; (3) Subarea 71 c: Marine Fishing Area of Vietnam (Southwest Vietnam); and (4) Subarea 71 e: Marine Fishing Area of Malaysia (East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia). Combating IUU fishing in the Gulf of Thailand/RPOA links: The meeting agreed that the existing RPOA framework, and engagement with the RPOA process as such, is a useful basis for the continued formulation of a sub -regional mechanism in combating IUU fishing for the Gulf of Thailand.
Build on the UNEP/GEF South China Sea information and database and further develop information-sharing arrangements between countries in the Gulf of Thailand to conserve the shared and transboundary stocks - specifically in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand - and to protect important habitats. Integrate habitat management with fisheries resource management (ensure cooperation between Fisheries and Environment/Marine and Coastal Resources Departments) throughout the Gulf of Thailand. Conduct research near the central Gulf of Thailand to assess the abundance and migration behavior of the Indo-Pacific mackerel and related fish stocks.
Conduct further research on migration and spawning patterns of important species in the Gulf of Thailand. Bi- and trilateral agreements were not discussed as a separate agenda item, but in the direction of more regulated management arrangements for the Gulf of Thailand, it could be important to revise the institutional (and legal) basis for a management arrangement (fisheries, marine environment). etc) in an area like the Gulf of Thailand (it is completely within the national requirements of the EEZs etc). Communication: The development of a communication system should be improved with a focus on the SEAFDEC Secretariat to facilitate the exchange of information, e.g. a dedicated e-mail group for the Gulf of Thailand sub-region.
Siri Ekmaharaj thanked the participants for their active participation in the meeting, and particularly emphasized that the meeting was a good start to develop fisheries management mechanisms in the Gulf of Thailand sub-region. After seeking support from countries for better management of the Gulf of Thailand, he declared the meeting closed.
List of Participants
Law and Criminal Division Department of Fisheries Malaysia 2nd Floor, Podium 2 Block 4G2 Wisma Tani, Percinct 4. Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) Department of Marine and Coastal Resources 51 Moo 8 Sakdides Rd., Tombol Wichit Muaung District, Phuket 83000, Thailand Tel.
Welcome address
Agenda
Sub-areas under fishing area 71 in the gulf of thailand
Vessel record and inventory survey form
This "vessel type" could indicate the vessel category (fishing vessel, supply vessel, transport vessel, etc.) and/or area of operation (inshore/offshore, zone A, B or C, long range, etc.). Given the new focus on social and labor aspects, as well as the importance of livelihoods (especially for smaller and smaller operators), this information will be of interest – even if it is only indicative. In accordance with convention, the correct term to use now is GT, which is a function of the molded volume of all enclosed spaces in the ship.
Net tonnage (NT) is based on a calculation of the volume of all the ship's holds. It indicates a vessel's earning area and is a function of the molded volume of all the ship's holds. The Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS) is based on net tonnage, modified for Panama Canal purposes.
At a small "drafting" meeting held at SEAFDEC TD, it was suggested that at this stage it would be better to have one form for larger vessels and one form for smaller boats and craft. Any references to schemes to register "unlicensed" vessels at different levels should be recorded, on any form where appropriate, and in the form for smaller vessels it is hoped that information will be provided on specific systems for registering smaller vessels indicate and record. and small scale vessels/boats. It would, if possible, be worth looking for information to be provided on specific systems to mark and record smaller and small scale vessels/boats - this could be part of district records, community fisheries records etc.
A reference code search will need to be organized based on the available document sets. Vessel type' for smaller boats could indicate categories such as inboard, outboard, sailing or rowing vessel type and/or area of operation (inside or outside the Community fishery; Zone A, B or C, etc.). The data on the items below may be quite limited for smaller boats/vessels and if you could report the "numbers" it would be very nice - but the section is being held for now until we get the first round of feedback.
This section is relevant in several ways to smaller boats/vessels as it gives an indication of the fishing capacity as there will be differences between outboard motors, inboard motors, sail powered boats or "man powered" boats (rowing boats). Given the emerging focus on social as well as the importance of livelihoods (especially for smaller and small-scale operators), an information on how many people involved per boat would be important - even if only indicative.
Port monitoring
If yes, is there any record of numbers of boats and kilos of fish landed 2. If yes, is there any record of numbers of boats and kilos of fish landed. If yes above - Can fish landed be categorized and recorded by kilogram, species and areas of fishing.
If yes above - Could the port/landing place have a registry, or record the number of vessels, where they fished and where they come from (which province, neighboring country or other foreign vessels)? Before starting a detailed information gathering process, a number of ports and landing sites should be visited to further develop the information sharing format based on port monitoring – for example in Kampot/Kien Giang; The border provinces of Koh Kong/Trat and Malaysia (Kelantan, Terengganu)/Thailand (Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkkla).
Institutional matrix for key elements of “monitoring”, “control” and
Control (C) - the establishment of measures consisting of the specification of the conditions under which resources can be harvested; (The definition is from the “Workshop on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance for the Implementation of RPOA to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices, Including Combating IUU Fishing in the Region”, Bali, March 4 – 6, 2008). It involves specifying the conditions under which resources can be harvested. These specifications are normally contained in national fisheries legislation (and others) and other arrangements that may be agreed at national, sub-regional or regional level.
Surveillance (S) - the checking and supervision of fishing and related activities to ensure compliance with national legislation and provisions, conditions of access and management measures. The definition comes from the "workshop on monitoring, control and surveillance for the implementation of RPOA to promote responsible fishing practices, including combating IUU fishing in the region", Bali, 4 – 6 March 2008).
Closing address
