SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
The “Regional Training Course on Advanced Aquaculture Technologies for Commercially Important Commodities in Southeast Asia,” conducted during the second year of the Regional Capacity Building Network (RECAB) program, was effectively organized by the SEAFDEC Secretariat in collaboration with the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (AQD). The course took place from 9 to 26 October 2023, at AQD in Tigbauan Main Station, Iloilo, Philippines.
Twenty participants from the ASEAN Member States (AMSs), including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam, underwent comprehensive training. The program aimed to enhance their expertise in various aspects of aquaculture, covering topics such as biology, broodstock management, hatchery and breeding technology, nutrition, feeding, disease management, biosecurity measures and protocols, food safety of aquaculture products, and the impact of climate change on economically significant aquatic species (marine fishes, mangrove crab, sandfish, giant freshwater prawn, tilapia). Participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences and visited local aquaculture operations focusing on commercially important aquaculture commodities in the Philippines.
During the Closing Ceremonies on 26 October 2023, Dr. Suttinee Limthammahisorn, the Secretary-General of SEAFDEC, expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan, particularly through the Japanese Trust Fund, and to AQD for their support of the training. She emphasized that this program not only enhanced the aquaculture knowledge of the participants but also strengthened collaboration among fisheries officers from the ASEAN Member States through the RECAB program. Dr. Suttinee anticipated ongoing cooperation among the participants in working towards sustainable aquaculture in the region. Following the successful completion of the training, Dr. Suttinee, along with Mr. Dan Balio, Chief of SEAFDEC/AQD, and senior AQD staff, presented certificates of attendance to all participants.
Generally, the RECAB program consists of a series of comprehensive technical training courses delivered by SEAFDEC Departments. Its objective is to enhance the capabilities of fisheries officers from the ASEAN Member States (AMSs) while fostering regional cooperation and networking across various facets of fisheries and aquaculture. RECAB is an integral component of the project “Assistance for Capacity Development in the Region to Address International Fisheries-related Issues,” supported by the Government of Japan through the Japanese Trust Fund.
