Seabass (Lates calcarifer) has been cultured for decades in the South China Sea region but this was limited to areas where fry were available from natural waters. Recent developments have shown rapid expansion of the culture resulting to an increasing demand of fish fry which cannot be met by the supply of fry from nature. With the recent achievement in developing hatchery techniques, it is expected that the problem of fry supply could be overcome.
In response with requests from participating countries, a Training Course on Seabass Spawning and Larval Rearing was organized jointly by the Department of Fisheries of Thailand and the FAO/UNDP South China Sea Fisheries Development and Coordinating Programme (SCSP).
The principal objectives of the course were: (i) to provide practical training for government technical staff and extension workers; (ii) to furnish background information on the biology, behaviour, life history and habits of the species; (iii) to share information and knowledge on the biology, culture and fishery of this species among workers in the region; and (iv) to learn the techniques and methodologies on the culture of the species as developed in Thailand which may be used to further improve existing practices or initiate new programmes in the respective countries of the participants.
The National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture (NICA), at Songkhla, of the Department of Fisheries of Thailand hosted the Course which was held during the period from 1–20 June 1982.
The NICA Director acted as Training Course Director and six of his staff served as instructors and service personnel for the Course. One instructor and one general staff was provided by the Brackishwater Fisheries Division of the Department of Fisheries from Bangkok. The staff concerned of the SCSP also contributed in the instruction, supervision and servicing of the Course (List of staff and guests in Annex B).
Eighteen participants from seven countries participated in the Course, namely: Australia — 1; Hong Kong — 1; Indonesia — 6; Malaysia — 3; Philippines — 4; Singapore — 1; and Thailand — 2 (List of participants in Annex A). The SCSP sponsored 13 participants, UNICEF and the Government of Australia one participant each, and three others were supported by the FAO/UNDP Project on the Extension Service Support to Small-Scale Fisheries — INS/78/014, Indonesia.
The Course consisted of lectures, practica/field exercises, and field trips. The detailed schedule is summarized (Annex C). Twenty-three lectures (Annex D) provide background information on the species and for the practica/field exercises. Practicum exercises 1–14 (Annex E), provided actual practice on techniques and methodologies on seabass culture and the industry. Seven field trips were held to supplement the lectures and practica/field exercises (Annex F).
During the Course, in addition to the activities previously mentioned, participants' experience reports were presented and discussed, in a series of sharing sessions.
The Programme was most pleased to have been able to finally carry out this much sought after training course. The programme was very fortunate to have the course conducted by the very efficient Thai training staff who were pleased to be given the opportunity to disseminate knowledge on seabass biology and culture accumulated in the country within the last 10 years. It was obvious that the participants were grateful for the chance to gain the knowledge given and in turn shared local developments in this field from their respective countries. On an overall assessment, it is felt that the Course was highly successful and extremely useful and has certainly achieved the objectives for which it was organized (Annex I).
To supplement the general report (Part I), the series of lectures (Part 2), practica/field exercises (Part 3), the participants' experience reports (Part 4), the necessary Annexes (Annexes A-J) are included to complete this report.
