The SEAFDEC Training Department in retrospect through 35 years of fisheries development

Abstract

Over the last 35 years, the objective of the SEAFDEC Training Department (TD) has been to develop modern fishery technologies for the better use of marine resources. The mandate of training in such fisheries practices has not changed dramatically, however, the methods and emphases of the training have been modified to keep abreast of the demands made upon the natural fishery stocks by the extended SEAFDEC family. As the demand for fish has grown so the technology to catch fish has developed and become more and more sophisticated to the point of evident over-exploitation of the natural stock. The consumption of fish is a source of high-grade, but cheap protein for the people, however, as stocks have become reduced and more difficult to catch so the economic return for the fishermen has become a serious problem leading to greater fishing efforts to increase their economic return.