DOF signs MoU with Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, People's Republic of China
On 5 September 2019, in the meeting room, Ta-Phat-Thong, Foreign Fisheries Division, Department of Fisheries, Bangkok, Thailand. Mr. Bunchong Chumnongsittathum, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries and Mr. Su Mo, Director of Promotion Department of Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, People's Republic of China, they have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Technology Cooperation between the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand with the Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, People's Republic of China. The purpose of this MoU is to promote cooperation in academic exchanges in science and technology. Development of aquaculture equipment and technology systems, including post-capture technology. Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/local/index.php/main/view_activities/1232/56681
the Regional Workshop for Southeast Asia and Bay of Bengal (SEABOB) Area for the Development of Voluntary Guidelines on Fisheries Tenure and User Rights held
On 3 September 2019, Mr. Bunchong Chumnongsittathum, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries delivered a welcome speech to the participants of the Regional Workshop for Southeast Asia and Bay of Bengal (SEABOB) Area for the Development of Voluntary Guidelines on Fisheries Tenure and User Rights held during 3 – 5 September 2019 at Pullman King Power Hotel. The workshop co-hosted by the Department of Fisheries, FAO and the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) for the purpose of developing Voluntary Guidelines on Fisheries Tenure and User Rights. The workshop also opened the floor to exchange information on the management system and user rights at national and regional levels, the contribution of tenure and user rights systems in fisheries, as well as the main challenges and good practices in the region. ------------------------ written by Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division, DOF
Harvest Strategies
On 14 – 15 August 2019, the Department of Fisheries of Thailand held a briefing on “Harvest Strategies” moderated by Ms. Shana Miller, Program Manager, Global Tuna Conservation at the Ocean Foundation with more than 60 representatives from the government and private sector including academic institutes participated in the event. The briefing aimed to introduce an alternative approach, known as “harvest strategies” or “management procedures,” that is emerging as the next innovation in fisheries management. Incorporating existing tools such as monitoring programs and reference points, harvest strategies bring all the pieces together and provide managers with an improved lens through which to determine the best path forward for the fish and the fishery. ------------------------ written by Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division, DOF
Invitation to be the Supporting Ministry to the 6th International Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture 2019 (ICFA 2019)
The 6th International Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture 2019 – (ICFA 2019) invites Academicians, researchers, students, industry experts, policy makers, professionals and enthusiastic attendees send original research abstracts, case studies formatted according to the given format. The conference will be held from 22nd – 23rd August 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand under the theme “Sustainable Aquaculture: Nutritional Security and Exports”. The fisheries and aquaculture sector is expected to (i) bridge the gap between supply and demand of protein needs of ever-growing world population and (ii) increase its export contribution. The fact that growing economies are exporting high value seafood in part to achieve the broader goal of ending poverty, while achieving the food security goal by retaining and importing lower value seafood, has become an overarching trend. Currently, the sector is facing certain challenges, including its actual and perceived sustainability, disease out-breaks, and fluctuating global prices in changing macro-economic scenario, competition from other resource users and global trade wars. Therefore, we need to think forward by adopting new technologies, understanding the role of research and development, and extending and/or disseminating latest research to primary producers. The main theme of the conference would focus on so called, bifurcated theme of domestic versus export production strategies and discuss the synergies between domestic nutritional needs and need to improve export earnings. This will be achieved by networking, presenting the latest research and panel discussions on the strategies to ensure maximum profitability of the sector. Such strategies may not only encompass technologies to increase productivity but also strategies for value adding to increase profitability, total utilisation of the harvested resource by looking at new ways to use processing off cuts, and development of supply chain strategies such as digital traceability or forensic authentication of provenance to prevent substitution and supply chain mismanagement, thereby with the potential to attract premium pricing. The conference will also discuss and record all the necessary steps forward to a new era of modern technology to improve productivity while considering environment and social impacts. At the end of the conference the recommendation will be recorded and made available for policy makers in the region. With that, we invite you to submit an abstract in the range of the following tracks but not limited to: Aquaculture development Aquaculture engineering Feeding and nutrition in Aquaculture Aquatic resources and environmental management Aquaculture and Fisheries economics Biotechnology and genetics Aquatic health management and diseases Environmental impacts of aquaculture and/or fisheries Fish Biology: Immunology, Physiology & Pathology Fisheries, aquaculture and climate change Fisheries management ,policy and governance Marine biology, oceanography and conservation Post-harvest technology and value addition Supply chain management in aquatic products Quality Assurance in Aquaculture Cage farming Micro and macro algae farming Aquaculture of ornamental species Please follow the abstract guidelines and send the abstract to abstract@aquaconference.com before 13th June 2019. If you wish to be a presenter at the 6th International Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture 2019 – (ICFA 2019) register now https://aquaconference.com/online-registration/ . ------------------------ written by Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division, DOF
the 5th SeaWeb Seafood Summit, Shangri-La Hotels, Bangkok
On 11 June 2019, Dr. Adisorn Promthep, the Director – General of the Department of Fisheries delivered a remark on the overview of Thailand's Combating IUU Fishing at the 5th SeaWeb Seafood Summit, Shangri-La Hotels, Bangkok. He stated that the ultimate goal is the sustainable fisheries resources upon full cooperation among government, fishers, and the stakeholders. Strengthening of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations or RFMOs is given priority for the balance of economy, society, and fisheries resources. He also joined the forum on “Out of the shadow: Combating IUU Fishing through a Rapid Increase in Transparency” moderated by Mr. Steve Trent from EJF, to discuss and answer the questions related to the addressing of IUU fishing and labor arisen during the meeting. ------------------------ written by Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division, DOF
Thailand Updates on Progress Made on Sustainable Fishery at the Seafood Expo Global 2019
On 7 May 2019, H.E. Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Ambassador of Thailand to Belgium and Head of Mission of Thailand to the European Union, took part in a Seminar entitled “Thailand's Sustainability of Fisheries Industry" held at the sidelines of the Seafood Expo Global 2019 in Brussels, Belgium. The Expo was attended by importers and exporters of fishery products, media and representatives of the civil society organisations from all over the world. Other Thai participants attending the said Seminar included representatives from the Department of Fisheries, Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP), the Federation of Thai Fisher Folk Association, and the Thai Tuna Industry Association. Ambassador Manasvi informed the gathering of the tremendous efforts undertaken by the Thai government in combatting the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing over the past few years, which led to EU’s lifting the yellow card. At present, the comprehensive reform of the Thai fisheries sector has been widely acknowledged, from the development of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) System to the state of the art traceability system to ensure that Thailand’s whole supply chain is free from IUU fishing. Thailand’s efforts have contributed significantly to the sustainability of fishing activities and can set as an example for the ASEAN region. Dr. Adisorn Prompthep, Director General of Department of Fisheries, reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to continuing this path leading to sustainability of fisheries management. He emphasised that Thailand’s determination was to raise the standards of commercial fishing within and outside Thai waters to meet the international standards and to become a competent partner with the EU and other countries in future of sustainable fisheries. In addition, Dr. Rawee Viriyatum, Coordinator of the Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP), presented Thailand’s roadmap towards sustainable fishing through the FIP such as Thailand Blue Swimming Crab Fishery Improvement Project. The FIP aims to increase the supply of aquatic animals for long-term consumption, reduces the impact on the environment and to advocate effective fishery management. Meanwhile, Ms. Saowalak Prathumthong and Mr. Jirasak Meerit from the Federation of Thai Fisher Folk Association highlighted the importance of sustainable and responsible fishing among artisanal fishermen. One example from the local initiatives was the creation of “Blue Brand Standard” to increase consumer confidence that the product was sourced from sustainable fishing and not caught by destructive fishing gear. Furthermore, Dr. Chanintr Chalisarapong, President of Thai Tuna Industry Association, emphasised the progress in sustainability achieved in the fishery industry and the important role of the private sector’s efforts in producing fishery products that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and at the same time adhering to international standards related to the treatment of labour in the fisheries sector. He stressed that the Thai private sector was willing to work closely with the government sector, CSOs and other international organisations. Besides taking part in the Seminar, the Thai delegation also met H.E. Mr. Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, who visited the Thai pavilion, showcasing progress on sustainable fishing in Thailand inside the Seafood Expo Global 2019. The EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries praised Thailand for its success in reforming the fishery sector and stressed that Thailand was an excellent example for the development of an effective MCS System, utilising modern technology to monitor catches. This resulted in an improvement in the efficiency of control and prevention mechanisms. The electronic traceability system that Thailand is currently developing is also in line with the EU’s new policy to introduce digitalization of catching certificates, processing statements and importer declaration, to fishing catches imported into the EU. In order to promote best practices that will lead to sustainable fishing, Thailand together with SeaWeb will host the SeaWeb Seafood Summit 2019 from 10-14 June 2019 in Bangkok. This upcoming event will provide a platform for exchanging knowledge and sharing of best experiences in sustainable seafood industry among all stakeholders including representatives from government, private sectors, academia, CSOs and media. The event will provide an opportunity for Thailand to share its experiences with attendees worldwide on how to develop sustainable fishing and how to advance its IUU-Free Thailand policy in order to strengthen marine sustainability and foster consumer confidence globally. ------------------------------- written by : Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand