Observation Report on Tuna Purse Seine fFshing Operation in Eastern Indian Ocean On-board R/V Nippon Maru

Abstract

Tunas frozen are one of the major imported marine fish in the Southeast Asia region. More than 400,000 tons, cost 550,000 U S. Dollar, had been imported in 1997 (Fisheries Statistic Bulletin of South China Sea region, SEAFDEC 1997). Almost of them are raw materials for fish cannery industry. Two countries in South China Sea, Taiwan and the Philippine, have potential to harvest tuna resources in Pacific Ocean Even though the trend of the import has no sign to rapidly increase, but the quantity is remain high. In order to reduce maintain long term supply for frozen tunas from foreign vessel, establishment of tuna fishing fleet is necessary for this region. As well as the development on tuna purse seine fishing techniques included with fishing ground information and studying of new tuna resources are very important. Indian Ocean is one of the top fishing ground in the world tuna fishing. Fishing ground is not too far for countries in the Southeast Asian region to try for tuna fishing. The search and study of tuna and skipjack abundant in Indian Ocean shall be advantages for the tuna fisheries regional development plan in the future. Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) is the international organization that takes the lead for high sea fisheries promotion. In 1992 SEAFDEC has constructed new training/fishing vessel for tuna purse seine from Japan, under supported from Japanese government. She delivered to SEAFDEC/TD in 1993. Before the arrival of M/V SEAFDEC, Japan Marine Fisheries Resource Research Center (JAMARC) and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) started to set up the collaboration program. The objective of program is, to develop SEAFDEC purse seine technician staffs by assign a staff to observe/train on board R/V Nippon Maru in 1993. Detail is appeared in the Observation Report on Tuna Purse Seine Fishing Operation around Seychelles Waters onboard R/V Nippon Maru (Aussanee Munprasit and Isara Chanrachkij, 1993). The second establishment of the collaboration between JAMARC and SEAFDEC has been done since 1999 by Mr. Sumio Hirogawa under supervise by Mr Kazuo Shima President of JAMARC and Mr. Shogo Sugiura, The deputy Secretary General of SEAFDEC. The first activity of the collaboration was conducted in October 2000. Fishing operation assistant by R/V Nippon Maru was done, to set 5 pieces of SEAFDEC Payao in Indian Ocean. The second activities has been included the fishing information transfer and staff development program. The collaborations are conducted by R/V Nippon Maru, the research/fishing vessel. The vessel had operated skipjack and tuna purse seine in Indian Ocean. Period is from 28 December 2000 to 19 April 2001. The fisheries information exchanging was established between M/V SEAFDEC and R/V Nippon Maru during fishing season, from the end of January to the end of March. The staff development programs were initiated by two sections. l. Fishing technology improvement. This activity was conducted from 28 December 2000 to 28 February 2001 by assigning a fishing gear staff to train/observe the fishing operation in R/V Nippon Maru. SEAFDECITD assigned Mr. Isara Chanrachkij, assistant master fisherman to train under supervise by Mr. Takehiko Akiyama, fishing master and Mr. Michiro Imai Captain of R/V Nippon Maru. 2. Marine engineering technology improvement. Activities were conducted from 6 March to 19 April 2001 by assigning an engineer staff had trained/Observed onboard R/V Nippon Maru. SEAFDEC/TD assigned Mr. Wirote Laongmanee, 2nd engineer of M/V SEAFDEC to train under supervise by Mr. Takehiko Akiyama, fishing master and Mr. Mutsuo Abe Chief Engineer of R/V Nippon Maru. This report is comprised with the daily activities, important and key information of tuna purse seine fishing techniques particular during period from 28 December 2000 to February 2001. Although some information and techniques are not able to describe by the dialogues, the experience from training in R/V Nippon Maru shall be tools for M/V SEAFDEC in order to achieve the smooth and safety operation in the future.