Marine finfish culture is practiced throughout the Asian region, however
some countries have not yet fully mastered the technique. In some
countries there are some technological gaps in the existing practices.
Seafarming of marine fish species is increasing in importance due to
several factors which include the high market demand and the availability
of a vast area that can be exploited. Consequently the interest in marine
finfish culture is rapidly growing throughout the region.
In recognition of the need of countries to develop their marine finfish
culture industries, a regional finfish training course was organized in
Thailand, mainly concentrating on the culture of the seabass Lates
calcarifer. The course, held in Satul on 1–21 August 1988, was sponsored
by the FAO/UNDP Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project
(RAS/86/024) and organized by the Department of Fisheries.
Twenty-two participants were trained from seven countries in the region,
namely China, DPRK, Indonesia, ROK, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Twelve of the participants were sponsored by the Seafarming Project; five
by the ASEAN Regional Small-Scale Fisheries Development Project
(RAS/84/014); two by the Development of Marine Fish Culture Project in
China (CPR/81/014); two by the Department of Fisheries, Thailand; and one
by the Indonesian Seafarming Development Project (INS/81/008).
The main objective of this course was to teach the participants techniques
for successful breeding and nursery of seabass. The lecture topics and
laboratories were on the biology and ecology of seabass, larval
development, hatchery site selection, broodstock conditioning and induce
spawning, water quality analysis, fish nutrition, diseases treatment and
prevention. Practical training was carried out on induced spawning, larval
and fingerling rearing and netcage preparation aimed at familiarizing the
participants with the day to day practical activities of this seafarming
culture system.
During the first week of the course a paper on the status of finfish
culture in each of the participating country was presented. The seminar
session reviewed culture practices, postharvest handling, management and
economics of finfish culture, developmental constraints and future research
needs. The above aspects of the finfish mariculture industry appear in the
status reports presented by participants at the meeting and are included in
this report.
A manual on seabass culture in Thailand was prepared for the training
course. It is hoped that this publication will be of practical interest
and help to all who are engaged in the improvement of the finfish culture
industry in the region.
The Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project wishes to
express its gratitude to the Department of Fisheries, Thailand for
organizing and executing the course. Thanks are also due to the staff of
the Satul Brackishwater Fisheries Station.
Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project (RAS/86/024).
