Inland fisheries connectivity, irrigation and water management

The Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) works to improve understanding, awareness and cooperation in fisheries issues in the Asia-Pacific region. In this role, APFIC acts as a Regional Consultative Forum that works in partnership with other regional organizations and arrangements and members. It provides advice, coordinates activities and acts as an information broker to increase knowledge of fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia Pacific region to underpin decision making. The biennial session of the Commission is preceded by the Regional consultative Forum Meeting (RCFM) whereby member countries and regional partners discuss regional issues and propose approaches to address opportunities and concerns through the APFIC process. The outcomes and recommendations of the RCFM are forwarded to the Commission for deliberation and endorsement.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a particular impact on the work of APFIC during 2020, preventing the convening of the Session and RCFM and the regional consultative workshops that form a major part of the Commission’s workplan. The webinar series will commence end of January 2021 and largely take place prior to the virtual 36^th APFIC Session which is scheduled for May 2021. These virtual webinars will also generate some specific feedback and recommendations, which will be presented to the 36th Session of APFIC, currently scheduled for beginning of May 2021.

The first webinar “Inland fisheries connectivity,  irrigation and  water management”  will explore the potential  for  incorporating  fisheries  (and aquaculture) into water management,  especially irrigation. The speakers will cover technical aspects of   improving water connectivity and  flows; provision of refuges and habitat management and  stocking of systems. Invited guests form   water management sector and   investment will also give their perspectives on the feasibility and   financial   viability of integration of   these approaches into irrigation and water management. This webinar builds on several publications  that  have been prepared by APFIC Secretariat staff , FAO  and  partners (WorldFish and  IWMI).

Presenter

Title

Timing (UCT+7)

Simon Funge-Smith  (APFIC/FAO)

Introduction to the Webinar

14.00-14.10

Matthew McCartney (IWMI)

Irrigation’s perspective

14.10-14.30

Niloofar Sadeghi (ADB)

The investment  perspective: ADB

14.30-14.50

Lee Baumgartner (CSU)

Integrating into Irrigation Systems - Fish Passage Technology Approaches Lao PDR/Cambodia

14.50-15.10

Apiradee Hanpongkittikul (DOF Thailand)

Thailand Water Gate Management: Nam Kam case study

15.10-15.30

John Conallin (CSU)

Myanmar rivers and wetlands: Challenges for sustainable development

15.30-15.50

Mark Dubois (WorldFish)

Habitat/Nature-based Solutions/ Water Management Options

15.50-16.10

Rick Gregory (FAO CAPFISH)

Refuge Systems in Rice Systems

16.10-16.30

Ian Cowx (HIFI)

MRC Habitat Restoration and Protection Project

16.30-16.50

Simon Funge-Smith (APFIC/FAO)

Integration into Reservoirs, Stocking and Enhancement

16.50-17.10

All presenters

Responses to  selected Q&A from the audience

17.10-17.40