The Regional Training Course on Co-management Using Group User Rights for Enhancing Small-scale Fisheries Development and Management

Date: 20-28 September 2010
Venue: SEAFDEC/TD, Samut Prakan, Thailand

The objectives of the training were:

1. To promote and strengthen participants to comprehend the concept and regional guidelines for co-management using group user rights for small-scale fisheries in Southeast Asia and apply the concept and guideline practicing in coastal fisheries management.

2. To clarify the importance, objectives and application of the regional guidelines strengthening small-scale fisheries to promote and mobilize coastal fisheries management.

3. To facilitate participants sharing and exchanging experiences and views on enrollment of small-scale fisheries strengthening coastal fisheries management

Activity implementation:

The training course was attended by twelve fisheries officers from SEAFDEC Member Countries, namely: Cambodia (1), Indonesia (1), Lao PDR (1), Malaysia (1), Myanmar (1), The Philippines (1), Thailand (5) and Vietnam (1). Conducted for nine days, the training course included lecture and field trip study for concretely practicing and experiencing on site.

Session one, focused on lectures with Dr. Theo Ebbers from AIT focusing on scope and characteristic of co-management through right-based fisheries towards fishing rights, as well as participatory method of co-management promoting for small-scale fisheries. Other resources persons were SEAFDEC/TD staff, namely: Dr. Phattareeya, Mr. Aussanee, Ms. Sumitra, focusing on SEAFDEC projects related to coastal fisheries management. In addition, the participants were requested to present their respective country reports concerning fisheries co-management for small-scale fisheries management.

Session two was intended for site visit to 4 provinces, namely: Samutsakorn, Phetburi, Chantaburi and Trat Provinces. The coastal erosion was a serious issue in Samutsakorn Province. At Phetburi Province, the participants learnt about a crab bank cage. At Chantaburi Province, the participant visited the fisher group and discussed on the microcredit management. At Trat Province, the participants also visited Bann Pred Nai Mangrove Forest Conservation Group to discuss about mangrove forestation and conservation. On the next day, the participants presented the field trip reports as well as evaluating the training course. The results showed that most participants were satisfied on the training course specifically the course content, training methods, and facilities. Moreover, the participants thought that the site visit was beneficial to them which rated 100 %.