SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
SEAFDEC paid a courtesy visit to the Department of Fisheries (DOF) of Viet Nam on 19–20 April 2024. The SEAFDEC delegation was led by the Secretary-General of SEAFDEC, Dr. Suttinee Limthammahisorn, alongside Policy and Program Coordinator of the SEAFDEC Secretariat, Dr. Worawit Wanchana, Training and Supporting Division Head of SEAFDEC Training Department (TD), Mr. Suthipong Thanasansakorn, and Marine Engineering Section Head of SEAFDEC/TD, Mr. Thaweesak Thimkrap. During the meeting in Hanoi with the DOF Director-General and SEAFDEC Council Director for Viet Nam, Dr. Tran Dinh Luan, and DOF senior officials, SEAFDEC presented an overview of its programs and successful collaborations with Viet Nam and across the Southeast Asian region. Moreover, the meeting also identified areas of mutual interest and cooperation for concerted efforts to address pressing regional fisheries challenges including sustainable fisheries management, capacity-building, and research collaboration.
On the next day, SEAFDEC visited the Research Institute for Marine Fisheries (RIMF) in Hai Phong to explore fisheries innovations and technologies aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability in the sector such as ultra-fine bubble technology for onboard fish handling and seaweed tissue culture, among others. Additionally, the importance of fishery resource surveys and data-driven approaches in sustainable fisheries management were also discussed. Both SEAFDEC and RIMF expressed eagerness to deepen collaboration and leverage research and technology to address challenges and opportunities in the fisheries sector.
The two-day visit underscored the mutual commitment among SEAFDEC, DOF Viet Nam, and RIMF towards advancing sustainable fisheries development in Viet Nam and the Southeast Asian region. It served as a testament to the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in achieving common goals and objectives in fisheries management and conservation.
