Workshop on assessment and management of the offshore resources of South and Southeast Asia

FAO/APFIC/SEAFDEC

Workshop on assessment and management of
the offshore resources of South and Southeast Asia

Bangkok, Thailand 17-19 June 2008

RAP PUBLICATION 2009/13

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

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ISBN 978-92-5-106359-0

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© FAO 2009

For copies, please contact:
The Senior Fishery Officer
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Athit Road
Bangkok 10200
THAILAND
Tel: (+66) 2 697 4000
Fax: (+66) 2 697 4445
E-mail: [email protected]

For bibliographic purposes, please reference this publication as:

APFIC. 2009. Workshop on assessment and management of the offshore resources of South and Southeast Asia, 17–19 June 2008, Bangkok, Thailand. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand. RAP Publication 2009/13, 37 pp.

Abstract

This workshop was held to provide a regional review and synthesis of current knowledge on the status of offshore resources in South and Southeast Asia and to consider the technical and economic feasibility of developing new fishing activities directed to these resources. The workshop provided an excellent overview of the many exploratory fishing/research cruises that have been carried out in the region and identified the main potential species that may support commercial fishing. The overall conclusion, however, was that these resources are rather limited, and in the case of oceanic tuna, already heavily exploited. There are also a large number of technological, social and ecological constraints that make offshore fishing a high risk undertaking. Accordingly, the workshop recommended a precautionary approach to offshore fishing in South and Southeast Asia, starting with in-depth economic feasibility studies, risk assessments - especially with respect to impacts on existing fisheries and potential environmental concerns - and gradual development as more information and knowledge are accumulated. In terms of future management, the role of the regional fishery management organizations for highly migratory species was acknowledged, but the lack of regional arrangements for other shared fish stocks was highlighted. The workshop recommendations provide a number of important actions that need to be followed if South and Southeast Asia are to benefit from the sustainable development of their offshore resources.