5.1 The ASEAN has a combined area of about 3 million km2 and a population of 295 million out of which close to 2 million or 0.7 percent are fishermen. Most of these fisher men live in depressed coastal communities brought about the declining overfished resources., and increasing number of fishermen.
5.2 There is a felt need to alleviate the deplorable economic condition of these coastal fishing communities by finding alternative sources of income for this group of population. In this regard aquaculture and particularly that of seafarming or mariculture appears to be a suitable alternative.
5.3 Aquaculture in the ASEAN countries is fairly developed in certain aspects and in definite areas in the region. Latest production data from ASEAN gave about 900 000 mt which is 9 percent of the world total of 10.2 million mt. Some 270 000 mt of this production is from seafarming which is 5 percent of world total of mariculture production of 5.6 million mt.
5.4 In various stages of development, seafarming as an industry, exists in all the countries in the region. In Brunei netcage culture of marine fish has been initiated by the government while raft culture of green mussels was recently started by a private firm. There is little incentive to go into fishing or aquaculture so that there is need for the government to take more aggressive steps to encourage development of fisheries.
5.5 In Indonesia the initial abundance of coastal resources which were utilized by simple gathering or capture has delayed the development of seafarming. Recently however, the increased number of coastal fishermen and the decline of resources available has stimulated quick action on the part of the government to put up seafarming development activities and identify potential development sites and resources. This is being achieved with external technical assistance.
5.6 In Malaysia certain aspects of seafarming particularly that of cockle culture is well established. This is being continued with fluctuating yearly production. Netcage culture of fish and seaweed culture are recent innovations that are fast developing. In netcage culture an alternative feed instead of trashfish is being sought.
5.7 In the Philippines culture of Eucheuma seaweed and also of mussels and oysters are established practices. The former is dependent on external market with uncertain demand while the latter depends on sanitary quality control to promote wider market acceptance. For lack of cheap and easily available feed supply, the netcage culture industry is not yet being developed.
5.8 Intensive and high technology culture of finfish in netcages and raft culture of mussels are being practiced in the limited culture sites available in Singapore. Holding and fattening of mangrove crab and netcage culture of penaeid shrimp and lobster are developing activities.
5.9 In Thailand, mollusc culture particularly mussels and oysters and netcage culture of fish are practiced. Seed production through hatchery for giant seaperch or seabass is established to provide local supply and for export. The country is interested in developing diversified seaweed culture and the culture of disappearing valuable molluscan species.
5.10 In netcage culture of marine finfish there are two major problems that need solution, namely: (a) availability of fish seeds especially for the grouper, snapper and carangid species. Fish seed resources survey should be undertaken in focal areas of development. Subsequently studies on the biology and hatchery spawning and larval rearing of these species will be needed; and (b) feed alternative to trashfish. Studies should be conducted on other sources of feed and if possible the use of formulated feed.
5.11 In mollusc culture, the available seeds of the major cultured species are becoming less available where and when needed. Introduction of known technology for hatchery production of seeds of cultured molluscs such as for food oysters, green mussel and the cockle will be necessary.
5.12 Raising the sanitary quality standard for shellfish cultured in the region will be required so that these can be acceptable to the market especially in the export market. Cleansing areas should be identified; and depuration plants should be established if necessary; and designation of the institution for the needed quality control should be considered.
5.13 In the case of seaweeds particularly those used in industry like Eucheuma spp for carageenan and Gracilaria, Gelidium etc. for agar, it is noted that their complete processing is mainly done outside the region with the region mainly supplying the raw materials. Sortie means should be done to see the possibility of processing within the region. To avoid over-production and cutthroat competition among the ASEAN countries for the raw material supply, the producing countries should mutually cooperate arid consult teach other in their production plans.
5.14 Project summaries of specific sea-farming development activities for each of the ASEAN countries are listed in Section 4.2 and described in Appendix 6.
