03 SEAFDEC/IFRDMD External Publications

SPEECTRA: Linking Inland Fisheries Conservation and Regional Learning in Southeast Asia

2026-10-13T01:06:26Z

SPEECTRA: Linking Inland Fisheries Conservation and Regional Learning in Southeast Asia Prayoga, Muhammad Putra; Muthmainnah, Dina; Sawestri, Sevi; Rais, Aroef Hukmanan; Supriyadi, Freddy; Rimapradesi, Yulia; Shimoda, Toru Inland fisheries play an important role in supporting food security, nutrition, and livelihoods in Southeast Asia. However, these fisheries are increasingly affected by habitat degradation, climate variability, hydrological changes, and growing pressure on aquatic ecosystems. This article discusses the Special Area for Conservation and Fish Refugia, known as the SPEECTRA Model, as a practical conservation approach developed from local experience in swamp and floodplain ecosystems in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Implemented at Patra Tani in Muara Enim, SPEECTRA combines fish refugia, habitat protection, ecological monitoring, education, and community learning. Experience from the pilot site shows that conservation areas can function not only as protected habitats, but also as learning platforms for research, capacity building, and public awareness. The model highlights the importance of adapting conservation design to local ecological conditions, governance systems, and community needs. SPEECTRA offers useful lessons for strengthening sustainable inland fisheries management and regional cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Advancing the Leadership of SEAFDEC in Sustainable Inland Fisheries Governance in the Southeast Asian Region

2026-10-06T08:16:26Z

Advancing the Leadership of SEAFDEC in Sustainable Inland Fisheries Governance in the Southeast Asian Region Soesmono, Andi; Muthmainnah, Dina; Suryati, Ni Komang; Supriyadi, Freddy; Aroef Hukmanan; Rais, Aroef Hukmanan; Sawestri, Sevi; Nurwanti; Shimoda, Toru; Adrianto, Luky This article reviews the current state of inland fisheries in Southeast Asia and highlights the role of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD in leading regional efforts toward sustainable inland fisheries governance in Southeast Asia. Drawing on the achievements of the two projects in 2020–2024 supported by the Japan Trust Fund 6-2, IFRDMD promoted the importance of inland fisheries for food security and advocated for increased policy support to ensure their long term sustainability. Furthermore, IFRDMD also played a pivotal role in enhancing technical capacity, strengthening governance mechanisms, and promoting sustainable practices for inland fisheries management across Southeast Asia. To showcase the results of its years of work, IFRDMD organized the “Workshop of Best Practices in Inland Fisheries Management” on 23 October 2024 in Palembang, Indonesia. At this event, IFRDMD presented the key achievements of its two flagship initiatives, entitled “Management Scheme of Inland Fisheries in the Southeast Asian Region” and “Sustainable Management of Anguillid Eel Fisheries in the Southeast Asian Region.” The Workshop underscored the critical contributions of inland fisheries to food security and the broader agri-food transformation, demonstrating a collective commitment to the sector’s long-term resilience.

Fostering Women’s Contributions to Inland Fisheries in Southeast Asia

2026-10-06T07:50:21Z

Fostering Women’s Contributions to Inland Fisheries in Southeast Asia Muthmainnah, Dina; Suryati, Ni Komang; Supriyadi, Freddy; Soesmono, Andi; Shimoda, Toru; Nurwanti Gender is defined by the concept of duties, functions, and roles attributed to women and men in the public and private lives of society. In the context of gender policies, the Inland Fishery Resources Development and Management Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/IFRDMD) has actively promoted gender equality in Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Philippines since 2020. Women have taken leading roles in the inland fisheries value chain, particularly in processing and marketing. However, women have often been limited in their participation in decision-making processes. Recognizing these challenges, IFRDMD was committed to promoting gender equality in inland fisheries in Southeast Asia under the projects supported by the Japanese Trust Fund 6-2, entitled “Management Scheme of Inland Fisheries in Southeast Asian Region” and “Sustainable Management of Anguillid Eel Fisheries in Southeast Asian Region” which were implemented in 2020–2024.

High genetic diversity in anguillid glass eels across three Southeast Asian countries revealed through mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences, with notes on population structure

2024-10-10T02:14:43Z

High genetic diversity in anguillid glass eels across three Southeast Asian countries revealed through mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences, with notes on population structure Marini, Melfa; Pedrosa-Gerasmio, Ivane R.; Santos, Mudjekeewis D.; Romana-Eguia, Maria Rowena R.; Nguyen, Binh Thanh; Shibuno, Takuro Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of anguillid eels is crucial for effective management. In this study, we used the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop marker to identify anguillid glass eels and assessed their genetic diversity across six sampling sites spanning three Southeast Asian countries. We also examined the population structures of Anguilla marmorata and A. celebesensis. We validated nine distinct species and subspecies of anguillid eels from 465 specimens collected in Indonesia (n = 246), the Philippines (n = 119), and Vietnam (n = 100). High gene diversities were observed across the species, ranging from 0.979 (A. celebesensis) to 1.000 (A. bicolor bicolor, A. marmorata, and A. interioris). Correspondingly, nucleotide diversity values were relatively low, varying from 0.036 (A. marmorata) to 0.057 (A. interioris). A. marmorata (n = 162) displayed a broad distribution, being observed across all six sites, with a significant yet low average fixation index of 0.05755. Pairwise comparisons of FST values between Cimandiri and other locations (except for Cagayan) were relatively high and statistically significant (p < 0.01), indicating significant genetic differentiation of Cimandiri samples compared to most locations in this study. On the other hand, A. celebesensis (n = 110), exhibited a non-significant and low fixation index (0.007), indicating no genetic differentiation in samples from Poso and Poigar Rivers, Indonesia. Our findings highlight the essential need for coordinated management strategies among regions that share common stocks. Additionally, this study underscores the efficacy of the mtDNA D-loop in precisely identifying glass eel species/subspecies and elucidating the genetic diversity and population structure of tropical anguillid eels.