Lead Technical Officer: Masahito Hirota (MFRDMD)

The southeast Asian region is one of the top suppliers of marine products in the world, and they play a significant role in serving seafood for daily consumption or livelihoods of the local people and even international commodities as well. In consideration these social values, domestic assessments to their own fish stocks are being made effort by certain countries, but while in others, there are still several issues like insufficient human resources, the monitoring systems or the infrastructures to satisfy the conditions, hence, it certainly comes to remain a possibility of overfishing or stock depletion risk even now and near future.

Moreover, it is said that environmental change has a potential impact on marine life mechanisms, for examples, changes in water temperature can affect the distribution and behavior of fish species, increasing levels of carbonic acid in the ocean, which can make it harder for some shellfish and other marine life to build their shells or skeletons. And changes in ocean currents can also affect distribution of plankton, which is a crucial food source for many marine species. According to a preceding study, the tropical zone is predicted to see declines of up to 40% in potential marine products by 2050, however very few of them have described the marine life mechanism about the Southeast Asian regions under the effects of environmental change. Therefore, the necessity of the monitoring of ecology and oceanography conditions under environmental change is being heightened as an urgent issue than ever before, to assess the impact on the changing marine life condition.

Thus, there have remained inadequate conditions of marine research capacities in the Southeast Asian regions to manage fisheries resources, and they are still unsolved issues for member countries to secure the sustainable use of marine products in the regions. To improve the circumstances, the data collecting system for ecology and oceanography should be designed, and the capacity building for understanding the impacts of environmental change is also necessary. In addition, it is a truth that a more applicable stock assessment method has been desperately needed by adopting upgraded survey methods like a hydroacoustic science approach to refine the information of stock biomass.

As part of the JTF effort history to address the marine resource management, the SEAFDEC has tried introducing a surplus-production model (i.e. ASPIC: A Suite of Surplus Production Model Incorporating Covariate) since 2016, and successfully mastered the operation skill, which is a statistical-approached stock assessment model. However, because there are certain differences of statistical manners or insufficiency of data-series among AMSs, it was sometimes unavailable for several countries to adopt the model or assess their trance boundary stocks, collaboratively. Therefore, the JTF7 (2025-2029) aims to develop an ecological info-based model, along with the statistical-approach, to be adopted by SEAFDEC member countries as their official tool of stock assessments, incorporating a hydroacoustic science and environmental change impact to upgrade the quality of parameters.

Meanwhile, the approach of environmental change impact assessment for marine life is the first trial for SEAFDEC and it is an inevitable issue to prepare better management systems for future high-uncertain marine resource conditions. For launch the new approach, it is necessary to establish the monitoring and assessment system of environmental change impacts of marine resources with AMSs through the capacity building programs provided by SEAFDEC/TD. Then, better methodologies or the operation systems created in the program should be disseminated among SEAFDEC member countries in the term of JTF7 as the first step for facing climate change impacts, which will be an innovative perspective to provide a solution system of marine resource management.

As another mainstream historical context of the SEAFDEC research activities, acoustic surveys had been conducted for marine resources study since 1992, which was an epoch-making method to clarify the multi-species biomass for the purpose of exploring under-utilized offshore fishery resources. And, it also started addressing multi-species stock assessments for a study purpose, when a full-scale survey was launched with SEAFDEC member countries in the South China sea, operated by M.V. SEAFDEC during 1995-1999. Since 2004, M.V. SEAFDEC2 equipped a quantitative echosounder system (Furuno FQ-80), and later, the system upgraded as a new system: SIMRAD EK80 in 2021. To follow the progress and update more, SEAFDEC researchers have been refining their operation skills of the new model by undergoing practical training programs since 2022.

In the JTF7 program, SEAFDEC has decided to lead the program titled “Enhance marine research capacities to manage fisheries resources” in designing a new stock assessment system, in leading the capacity building program for assessing environmental change impacts and for the hydroacoustic survey operation skill utilizing M.V. SEAFDEC2 and new hydroacoustic system: SIMRAD EK80.

The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below water, Target No. 14.4 Sustainable fishing, and 14.6: Increase scientific knowledge, research, and technology for ocean health. The project is in line with mainly the Resolution of “RES & POA 2030”. No.12: Strengthen knowledge, including local knowledge, and science-based development and management of fisheries by enhancing the national capacity to collect, analyze, and share fisheries data and information), and the Plan of “RES & POA 2030” No. 4 (establish reference points, and come up with estimated biomass or capacity level to determine the maximum sustainable yield, allowable biological catch, or allowable effort for marine and inland fisheries) , No.5 (Strengthen the collection of data and information, where relevant, on species under international concern, e.g., sharks and rays, sea turtles, catadromous eels, aquatic mammals, etc., and harmonize/standardize data collection methods among countries in the region), No. 22: Explore the potential of under-utilized fishery resources through comprehensive fishery resources surveys, and promote their exploitation in a precautionary manner based on analysis of the best available scientific information, and No. 25 monitor and assess the perceived impacts of climate change to fisheries and aquaculture.

The ultimate goal of this project is to design a system integrated with a series of ecology and oceanographic research activities to better understand marine life conditions and fish stock status. This will ensure that fishery management and policymaking related to food security are effectively carried out, even if in the face of environmental changes. The project provides a tool to promote the sustainable use of fish stocks and to assess future impacts on marine ecosystems, with a focus on securing food security policies.

The first step towards achieving this goal is the development of a bio-information-based stock assessment system. This system will include ecological mechanism surveys, acoustic surveys for direct fish stock estimation, and development of cohort-based stock assessment models. These approaches contribute to research institutes and fish-stock managers by sharing findings and delivering an ecology-based stock assessment model. The second goal is to improve long-term policies that address the impacts of environmental changes on fishery resources in Southeast Asian regions. Lastly, the project will contribute to the sustainable management of fisheries by employing tools such as hydroacoustic surveys to estimate fish biomass.

1. System design of bioresearch for Marine Fish Stock in the Southeast Asian Regions
   The objective of this approach is that SEAFDEC member countries can use the ecological information-based fish stock assessment system for pelagic fishes and sharks in the Southeast Asia region for sustainable use of regional fish stocks
2. Capacity building on marine environment changes monitor and assessing their impact on fishery resources
   The objective of the approach is that the SEAFDEC Member Countries’ researchers can have a better understanding of the impact of marine environmental change on fishery resources.
3. Enhancing capacity for estimating fishery biomass through scientific hydroacoustic surveys
   The objective of the approach is that researchers and officers of SEAFDEC Member Countries can conduct effective hydroacoustic surveys using quantitative echo sounders.

• Incorporating the conduct of gender analysis in the baseline surveys of project sites to understand the gender conditions that require interventions
• Providing equal opportunities to male and female stakeholders in accessing and receiving benefits from fishery resources, information, financial sources, and capacity building
• Promoting equitable participation of male and female stakeholders in the implementation of programs and projects where applicable

SEAFDEC member countries can use the ecological information-based fish stock assessment system for pelagic fishes and Sharks in the Southeast Asia region for sustainable use of regional fish stocks.

Biology and Ecology information & data collection for Pelagic
Ecology and biology data and information is collected from field surveys, laboratory works or water tank experiments as the fundamental information of stock assessment systems.

Activity 1.1.1: Ecological data and information of larvae/egg is researched about three (3) target small pelagic to observe the early-stage conditions of them.

Activity 1.1.2: Maximum six (6) target small pelagic species are identified by utilizing morphological and genetic approaches.

Activity 1.1.3: The spawning stock biomass estimation method for target small pelagic is designed by incorporating acoustic surveys method as information for stock assessment.

Landing data collection and Age-length-key development (for cohort estimation)
To update the stock assessment method incorporating cohort information, age-length-key and growth rate is prepared and served for cohort-based stock assessment.

Activity 1.2.1: Age-length-key of targeted small pelagic is prepared and served for cohort-based stock assessments.

Activity 1.2.2: Growth-rate information of three (3) target sharks, and landing data collection of sharks is served for the stock assessment.

Establishment of Stock Assessment Methodology for Pelagic and Sharks
Stock status of targeted small pelagic and sharks is assessed by using cohort information-based stock assessment.

Activity 1.3.1: Establishment methodology for stock assessment of pelagic.
Cohort information-based stock assessment models will be designed for small pelagic in collaboration with related countries.

Activity 1.3.2: Establishment methodology for stock assessment of sharks.
Cohort data & info is served as a parameter of a growth rate in YPR: Yield per recruitment for targeted sharks stock assessment, to provide scientific information with NDF of sharks and related species

Scientific research of marine environment changes impact on fisheries resources, habitat and so on

Activity 2.1.1: Organize Technical Workshops

To enhance understanding and collaboration on the impact of environmental changes on fisheries resources, the project will organize two technical workshops in 2025 and 2026. The first workshop will focus on the Gulf of Thailand, with participation from the Department of Fisheries (DoF) Thailand and Thai Universities, while the second will address the Andaman Sea, might involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) Indonesia, DoF Malaysia, DoF Thailand, and JAMSTEC. Each workshop will have clear objectives, such as developing a collaborative research framework, sharing best practices, and establishing joint research initiatives.

Prior to each workshop, the project will discuss to identify current knowledge gaps and research priority related to environmental changes and fisheries. This preparation will help tailor the agenda to participants’ needs and maximize their engagement.

The workshops will include collaborative efforts, such as breakout sessions, where participants can brainstorm and develop specific research framework for collaborative plans. A follow-up mechanism will be established to track the implementation of ideas generated during the workshops, ensuring sustained momentum. Through documentation of the discussions, agreements, and proposed frameworks will be created and disseminated to all participants and relevant stakeholders.

In the final year, the project will evaluate the effectiveness of each workshop by collecting feedback from participants to assess whether objectives were met and how future workshops can be improved.

Activity 2.1.2: Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Survey Report

This activity will focus on conducting comprehensive field surveys in the Gulf of Thailand and gathering existing data to assess the impacts of environmental changes on fisheries resources. The scope of data collection will be clearly defined. The project will integrate information from remote sensing technologies, oceanographic surveys, and fisheries statistics to provide a holistic view.

To ensure high-quality data, project staff and researchers will receive capacity-building support through workshops and training on modern data collection tools and technologies. Data collection will follow standardized protocols with quality control measures in place to maintain consistency across countries and agencies. The data analysis phase will take an interdisciplinary approach to produce in-depth insights linking environmental changes to fisheries resources or habitat.

Survey reports will be produced on a strict timeline, These reports will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders, and a digital platform will be created/established to store and share data for continued collaboration and long-term fisheries management.

Activity 2.1.3: Information Dissemination

This activity focuses on ensuring that research findings on the impacts of marine environmental changes are widely disseminated. The project will publish research papers in targeted regional and international journals and/or present the results at the conference, maximizing visibility among relevant scientific communities and fisheries managers. To broaden the reach, alternative formats such as policy briefs, technical reports, and infographics will be used to communicate findings to a non-scientific audience. Digital platforms and social media may also be leveraged for wider dissemination.

TD’s researchers will be supported in participating in both regional and international symposiums, presenting their work through oral presentations, posters, and panels.

Improve knowledge on vulnerability assessment of fisheries resources in response to climate change

Activity 2.2.1: Organize Technical Workshops

A technical workshop will be organized to develop a comprehensive working handbook and identify target species for the Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) and vulnerability analysis in collaboration with FAO and other relevant agencies. A key focus will be discussed on how to adapt PSA indicators to better reflect the SEA context, ensuring the outcomes are practical and relevant to the region. Outcomes will be documented and form a basis of follow-up activities, ensuring continued progress on vulnerability assessments and risk analysis

Activity 2.2.2: Organize Training Courses and Workshops for participating countries

Training courses and workshops will be organized to build the capacity of the focal points from pilot site countries (Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand). These trainings/workshops will focus on enhancing participants’ understanding of vulnerability assessment techniques and finalizing the study framework. The training will consist of interactive, hands-on sessions where participants apply tools to real-world scenarios, fostering practical skills development. The workshops will also provide a platform for finalizing the study framework with input from participants, ensuring alignment with national priorities. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be included to assess the training’s impact, and a follow-up platform will enable continued knowledge sharing across countries.

Activity 2.2.3: Data Collection and Analysis: Foundation for Vulnerability Assessment

Data collection and analysis will be conducted, with each participating country receiving some budget to conduct their data collection efforts, while TD’s researcher will monitor the data collection process. A standardized data collection protocol will be developed to ensure consistency across all countries. Regular reporting and monitoring visits will ensure that the process is on track, with flexibility in fund use to accommodate any challenges. A collaborative platform will be set up to facilitate data sharing, and a joint data analysis workshop will be organized to design a comprehensive risk table.

Activity 2.2.4: Consultative Meetings: Validating Data

Consultative meetings will be organized to validate data obtained from activity 2.3 and initiate writing of the resulting publication. The meetings will be participated by SEAFDEC staff, and resource persons and involve focal points from participating countries, with a focus on reviewing and validating the data. Collaborative sessions will identify key findings, which will form the basis for publication. The meetings will also include a session to draft an initial outline of the research paper, ensuring alignment on the structure and content. Post-meeting follow-ups will ensure that the data is fully validated, and the publication moves forward according to agreed timelines and responsibilities.

Activity 2.2.5: Writing Workshop: Finalizing the Vulnerability Assessment Publication

A writing workshop will be organized to finalize the publication and plan on a regional training course (Activity 2.6). Participants will focus on specific sections, facilitating in-depth discussions and collaboration. Peer review sessions will be integrated into the workshop, allowing for constructive feedback and enhancement of the draft. Experience facilitators will guide the process, ensuring that best practices in scientific writing are followed. Additionally, time will be allocated to brainstorm ideas for the regional training course, aligning its content with the publication’s findings. A timeline for finalizing the publication will be established, and follow-up support will be offered to ensure that all contributors can successfully complete their sections.

Activity 2.2.6: Regional Training Course: Building Capacity in Vulnerability Assessment

A regional training course for all AMSs will be organized to focus vulnerability assessment of fisheries resources in response to climate change, drawing from lessons learned throughout the project. Expert trainers will be invited to lead the sessions, ensuring that participants receive high-quality instruction. Practical, hands-on activities will be incorporated to facilitate active learning, while collaborative exercises will encourage knowledge exchange among trainees from different member countries. Comprehensive training materials will be provided, enabling participants to apply their learning effectively. Follow-up mechanisms will be established to support trainees post-course, ensuring they have resources and guidance as they implement their new skills. Feedback will be collected to continuously improve future training sessions, and success stories will be shared to inspire and motivate participants

Activity 2.2.7: Information Dissemination: Sharing Insights from the Vulnerability Assessment Report

A vulnerability assessment report will be published and disseminated to key stakeholders, including fisheries managers. The report will be made available in various formats, such as print and online sessions, along with engaging infographics. Social media will be utilized to promote the findings, and briefing sessions will be organized to present key insights and facilitate discussion. Concise executive summaries will accompany the full report to enhance accessibility, and feedback will be encouraged to evaluate the report’s impact and inform future initiatives.

Capacity building to SEAFDEC and Southeast Asian Member Countries researchers on marine environment change monitor and its impact on fisheries resources

Activity 2.3.1: Regional Training/Workshop/Seminar on Marine Environmental Change and Fisheries Resources Management

A regional training course, workshop, or seminar will be organized, inviting one researcher from each SEAFDEC Member country. These events will provide tailored content on marine environmental change and fisheries resources, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical hands-on sessions and case studies. Expert facilitators will be engaged to share best practices, and participants will be encouraged to collaborate through group discussions. Follow-up materials and online platforms will be provided to support continued knowledge exchange and training evaluation will be conducted to measure effectiveness and ensure improvement.

Activity 2.3.2: Building Capacity through Participation in Global Forum on Marine Environmental Change and Fisheries Resources

This activity will support SEAFDEC staff to participate in key national and international meetings, training, and symposia focused on marine environmental change and fisheries resources.

Develop and disseminate regionally relevant methodologies for hydroacoustic surveys as well as the regional hydroacoustic survey data information

Activity 3.1.1: Capacities building on hydroacoustic data collection and data analysis

The project will involve a comprehensive training program, hands-on workshops, and ongoing technical support to ensure that fisheries officers from the region are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilize the scientific echosounder for fisheries biomass estimation including coastal-area and inland waters.
● Conducting a series of training/workshops on hydroacoustic data collection and data analysis
● Developing and conducting the hydroacoustic survey and construction of a database

Activity 3.1.2: Capacities building for SEAFDEC to improve hydroacoustic surveys in AMSs

The project will provide researchers of SEAFDEC to participate in the activities of training and workshops, research survey collaboration, Information dissemination, study visits to enhance the understanding of hydroacoustic science, and basic theory through knowledge sharing, researcher collaboration, and the development of regionally relevant methodologies for hydroacoustic surveys in Southeast Asia.

Database/catalog information on the Target Strength (TS) of the economically important fish species

Activity 3.2.1: Research study on the Target Strength (TS) of the economically important fish species

The project will involve a research study on the Target Strength (TS) of economically important fish species and database/catalog information.
Key categories of project activities
● Research study on the Target Strength (TS) from the swim bladder of the economically important fish species in Thai water
● Produce the Database or Catalog or Publication for information on target species to estimate biomass using acoustical methods including target strength