OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AT SEAFDEC-MFRDMD INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR S-2 Sustainable Production of Fisheries Resources in Southeast Asia 15 December 2011
INTRODUCTION MFRDMD is the 4 th department under SEAFDEC with a mission to provide assistance to the SEAFDEC member countries in matters leading to the Sustainable Development and Management of the Fishery Resources in the region through research, training and information dissemination. Established under the endorsement of Government of Malaysia in 1990 with the research activities being conducted since 1992.
FOCUS AREAS Provide assistance through research and training activities on development and management of marine fisheries. Major research and training activities: fish stock assessment, fish biology, fishery oceanography, management of shared stocks, shark and rays and conservation and management of endangered sea turtles. Other related activities: research on habitat enhancements such as artificial reefs, socio-economic, marine ecosystem studies and inland fisheries.
COLLABORATIVE REGIONAL PROGRAMS SEAFDEC departments (Secretariat & TD) and member countries: regional studies on stock assessment, resource exploration, fisheries oceanography, shared stocks, inventory of sharks and rays, habitat enhancements, conservation and management of sea turtles, stock enhancement of sea turtles, inland fisheries.
Stock Assessment: Assess the status of fishery resources in the region and estimate potential resources that could be exploited sustainably. Resource Exploration (TD): New resources in Deep-waters using SEAFDEC vessels. Fisheries Oceanography (TD): Compile and collate oceanographic data and correlate with distribution and abundance of the pelagic fish resources and various aspects of biology of the fishes and their different life-cycle stages.
Identification of shared stock: Study on fish biology particularly on unit stock or subpopulations. Inventory of sharks and rays (Secretariat): Collect and compile data/ information for sustainable management. Habitat Enhancement (TD, FRA Japan, DoFM) : Artificial reefs program.
Conservation and Management of Sea turtles (TD): explores various actions that need to be taken to conserve and manage this endangered species. Stock Enhancement of Sea turtles: involves stock identification, reproductive behaviour and migration route via tagging and satellite telemetry at both nesting and foraging habitats. Inland Fisheries (MRC): Special 5-year Program Information gathering of Inland Capture Fisheries.
Our Current Staff Strength Researchers: 10 (ROs) 5 (AROs) Japanese Expert: 1 (DC) Supporting staff: 37 TOTAL: 53
FINANCIAL SUPPORTS Regional Program: SEAFDEC Fund: Regular Fund - ended 2002, Special 5-year Program: 2002-2005, Japanese Trust Funds: JTF I, JTF II, JTF IV and JTF V National Program: Development Budget from Department of Fisheries Malaysia - 8 th Malaysia Plan and 9 th Malaysia Plan.
SEAFDEC REGULAR FUNDS Resource Assessment and Management: 1. Bio-economic analysis in fisheries management: Study on small pelagic fishery Collect socio-economic and biological data to develop bio-economic model for improved management strategies
2. Target strength of tropical fish: Target strength(ts) of fish required for hydroacoustic surveys TS determined for 5 species of pelagic fish (Rastrelliger kanagurta, Decapterus maruadsi, Atule mate, Selar crumenophthalmus, Selaroides leptolepis)
Fishery Biology: 1. Fish taxonomy studies in the South China Sea 2. Biology and population dynamics of pelagic fishes in the South China Sea 3. Biology and fisheries of sharks in SEAFDEC Member Countries 4. Stomach contents of commercially important species
Oceanographic and Sediment Studies: 1. Kinds, abundance and distribution of fish juveniles and larvae in the South China Sea. 2. Physical and chemical oceanography studies 3. Sediment and benthos studies - bottom profile
Marine Conservation and Stock Enhancement: 1. Construction and setup of FADs for coastal fishers in SEAFDEC Member Countries 2. Demonstration and experimentation of various types of selectivity devices on the commercial operation of the trawl net JTEDs, TEDs 3. Effect of Fishing gears on bottom profile
Special 5 year Program (2003-2005) 1. Identification of indicators for sustainable development and management of capture fisheries in the ASEAN Region 2. Information Gathering for Inland Capture Fisheries in ASEAN Countries
JAPANESE THRUST FUND PROJECTS: 1. TF I: Conservation and Management of Sea Turtles (2001-2003) 2. TF II: Information Collection for Sustainable Pelagic Fisheries in the South China Sea (2002-2006) 3. TF III: Shark and Rays Identification (2004-2005) 4. TF IV: Research for Stock Enhancement of Sea turtles (2004-2008)
JAPANESE TRUST FUND I PROGRAM(2001-2003) CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SEA TURTLES
Objectives: Compile information on sea turtles: species, abundance, breeding season, feeding regimes, etc. Hatchery management: Incubation period, sex ratio determination, threats to eggs, etc. Tagging : Inconnel Tags, PTT Observe migratory pattern using Satellite Tracking device
Eggs laying
Eggs Measurement and Weigh
Hatchery
Tag new turtle using Inconel tags on both flippers Record turtle landing Measure the CCL &CCW
2003 PIT tag
Satellite Tracking
JAPANESE TRUST FUND IV PROGRAM(2004-2008): Research for Stock Enhancement of Sea Turtles
Experts Meeting was held from 20-21 December 2004. In this Meeting, sea turtle experts gave their views on the research activities proposed by MFRDMD.
RTC on Finalization of Implementation Plan on Research for Stock Enhancement of Sea Turtles was conducted from 25-26 April 2005 in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
Following the RTC, four projects are being conducted: 1. DNA Study 2. Sea Turtle Tagging & Satellite Telemetry 3. Feasibility study on head-starting techniques 4. Interaction between sea turtles and Fisheries (TD)
Research Activities: DNA Study on Sea Turtles in the Southeast Asian region
Objectives: To identify the population of sea turtles in the Southeast Asian region through mitochondrial DNA (mtdna) analysis To formulate guidelines on sampling and laboratory working protocols To detect multiple paternity for estimation of stock size of male sea turtles
Identification of the stock/population of sea turtles in the Southeast Asian region Cont d 30 samples were taken from nesting sites in member countries. The nesting sites were: Brunei DS (1 site) Cambodia (1 site) Indonesia (5 sites) Malaysia (4 sites) Myanmar (2 sites) Philippines (3 sites) Thailand (2 sites) Vietnam (2 sites)
Sea Turtle Tagging and Satellite Telemetry
Cont d Detection of multiple paternities for estimation of stock size of male sea turtles in Redang Island, Malaysia
Objectives: To determine the stock size of sea turtles in the focused nesting beaches of Redang Island To provide a guideline and complimentary information to genetic studies for sea turtle management in the region To determine the migration pattern/routes of sea turtles and location of foraging habitats/areas of preference To determine biological information of sea turtle; speed of travel, reproductive biology and growth rates.
Feasibility Study on Head-Starting Technique
Objectives: Cont d To evaluate the effectiveness of headstarting program in stock enhancement of sea turtles To compile information on head-starting techniques for stock enhancement
On-site training for tissue sampling for DNA Study TRAINING
On-site training for tagging of sea turtles in 2005 Cont d
Detection of multiples paternities for estimation of male green turtles at nesting beaches in Redang Island, Malaysia A total of 300 tissues samples of green turtles hatchlings had been collected from 10 different nesters. Some samples had been analyzed through microsatellite DNA markers. Cont d
Sea turtle Tagging and Satellite Telemetry
Cont d Tagging of Sea Turtles No. of sea turtles tagged using inconnel tags in 2006 Country No. of sea turtles tagged Species Cambodia 6 Green-5 Hawksbill-1 Malaysia 1,297 Green- 1,047 Hawksbill-250 Myanmar 37 Olive ridley Philippines 20 Green-16 Hawksbill-4 Thailand 88 Mixed
Cont d No. of sea turtles tagged using PIT tags in 2006 Country No. of sea turtles tagged Species Malaysia 58 Green Myanmar 8 Olive ridley Thailand 270 Mixed
Hawksbill with PTT was released at Upeh Island on 16/6/06 Cont d
Cont d Migration route of hawksbill turtle, ID 64016 from Upeh Island 16/6/06 Jan. 2007
Cont d Green turtle with PTT was released in Sangalaki on 16/9/06
Migration route of green turtle ID 25402 from Sangalaki Island Cont d Jan. 2007 16/9/2006
Feasibility Study on Head-starting study Information on head-starting studies of sea turtles through scientific papers, available online service of journals and personal communication was compiled and reviewed.
Cont d
Cont d
Sea Turtle Information Kit Cont d
JAPANESE TRUST FUND V PROGRAM (2008-2012): 1. Research and Management of Sea Turtles in Foraging Habitats in the SEA waters 2. Research on Biology of Shark and rays.
Objectives: To collect ecological parameters of foraging habitats of sea turtles To collect, compile, and review information of sea turtles migration corridors, nesting/foraging habitats, and their population structures in the region by genetic, satellite tracking, and conventional tagging studies To review fishing activities in the region which is possibly interacting with sea turtle populations in their foraging/nesting habitats and migration routes. To collect biological information of sharks and rays.
Expected Outputs (2012): Information on population structures of sea turtles in ASEAN. Information on migration and foraging grounds of sea turtles in the ASEAN region. Information collection on interaction between sea turtles and fishing, including sound stimuli and hookand-line fishing through research/experiment and actual fishing trial. Taxonomy and systematic identification of sharks and rays in Southeast Asian waters. Biological data of sharks and rays.
JAPANESE TRUST FUND II PROGRAM(2002-2006): Information Collection for Sustainable Pelagic Fisheries in the South China Sea
Objectives: To compile information on pelagic fisheries in the South China Sea. To determine biological parameters of commercially important pelagic fishes (growth, spawning and feeding patterns). To conduct population study using morphometric measurements and genetic analyses for selected pelagic species.
JAPANESE TRUST FUND II PROGRAM(2008-2012): Tagging Program for economically important pelagic species in the South China Sea and Andaman Sea
Objectives: To examine movement and migration routes of the targeted pelagic fishes SCS and Andaman Sea (AS). To compare growth patterns of TPF in the SCS and AS. To compare the results of growth patterns for the TPF between the tagging program and FiSAT analysis in the 1st phase of JTF II in the SCS. To conduct genetic analyses for population study to confirm existence/absence of sub-populations in the region and for species identification.
Expected Outputs (2012): Compilation of data/ information on tagging and recaptured tag fish in the South China Sea and Andaman Sea. Growth estimates and migration pattern of target species. Information on population study based on genetic results. Integrative interpretation of available data and information on small pelagic fishes.
JAPANESE TRUST FUND II PROGRAM(2011-2015): Promotion of Fishing License, Boats Registration and Port State Measures (TD and MFRDMD)
Objectives: To promote fishing license, boats registration and port state measures to combat IUU fishing To develop regional guidelines on fishing license and boats registration in Southeast Asia To promote MCS management for sustainable fisheries in the region To develop regional guideline to prevent IUU fishing and its products from being exported To assist the SEAFDEC Member Countries in application and implementation of IUU fishing related countermeasures.
Expected Outputs (2012): Finalization of regional guidelines on fishing license, boats registration and/or port state measures in Southeast Asia. Strengthened cooperation/collaboration with member countries and other organizations/institutions. Appointment of a focal point in each country to promote MCS to combat IUU fishing for sustainable fisheries. Information gathering to develop regional guidelines to prevent IUU fishing and its products from being exported. Draft regional guidelines to prevent IUU fishing and its products from being exported.
NATIONAL PROGRAM: Development Budget (8 th and 9 th Malaysia Plan) 1. Deep-sea Program: Development of Fish Forecasting System 2. Deep-sea Program: Exploration of new resources in deep-water areas of Sabah and Sarawak 3. Coastal water Program: Bio-socio-economic data collection of West Coast Peninsular Malaysia
NATIONAL PROGRAM: Development Budget (8 th and 9 th Malaysia Plan) 4. Fishing Quality Program: JTED and fishing gear studies 5. Artificial Reef Programs 6. Ecosystem Rehabilitation and Biodiversities Program - ecosystem studies, marine mammals, IAS (Data/ information used to develop management plans, CITES, CBD)
Application of satellite data for Fish Forecasting Use of satellite data - Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in fisheries Monthly data were validated with real-time data to be used for fish forecasting
Artificial Reef Programs: Design, construction, site selection Monitoring status of resources and artificial reefs Socio-economic data collection effectiveness of the deployment of artificial reefs to fishers
CONSULTATION SERVICES: WWF MALAYSIA: USAID Coral Triangle Support Partnership (CTSP) Consultancy for Fisheries Assessment for Seafood Guide of Malaysia (5140-9S08110I-INT-INTL) BOBLME project: Mackerel resources, ICZM Local universities Local companies: EIA Assessments, Fisheries Resources, Tuna Fisheries, etc. Others
TRAININGS: Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program: Fisheries Management Course (since 2002) Industrial Trainings: Local universities (2 3 months) ASEAN member countries: Shark and rays identification, DNA studies, Tagging, Management of Inland Fisheries, etc. Post graduate studies
AREAS OF INTERESTS: 1. EAFM concept in Fisheries Management 2. Stock assessments 3. Acoustic 4. Biomass estimation of fish at artificial reefs areas 5. Effective Artificial reefs designs 6. Data analysis - stock population 7. Environmental friendly fishing gears 8. Green technology reduce fuel cost vessel design
THANK YOU for your kind attention