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Many marine animals are now considered threatened or endangered species because populations have been depleted by fishing, hunting, and collecting for food and trade. Among these threatened species are the sea horses, giant clams, top shell, corals, sea cucumbers, whales and dolphins, marine turtles, sharks and rays, etc. The capture, collection, trade, and utilization of these species have been banned under the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) and/or other international and national mechanisms.
Heightened public interest in environment protection and resource conservation has become an important factor in fisheries development around the world and particularly in policy formulation for and within the fisheries sector. Public opinion has exerted sometimes unreasonable pressure, and restrictions, on the fishing and fish farming industries. The Southeast Asian region has a highly diverse marine fauna and flora, many of which have been traditionally used for human food and commerce. Thus the region is easily targeted by environment-oriented groups, especially those from developed western countries that do not share the same level of dependence on marine life.
It is therefore necessary for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Southeast Asia, including research and development organizations like SEAFDEC, to address the environmental concerns raised by international public, particularly with regard to threatened or endangered species. Thus, SEAFDEC will undertake the Program on Stock Enhancement for Threatened Species of International Concern. The approach used will be mostly through aquaculture, but also through coastal zone management. As preparatory activity of the Program, a
Regional Technical Consultation will be convened in July 2005 to identify threatened marine species for stock enhancement and assess the existing hatchery and stock enhancement technologies for the identified species.
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