Asian Fisheries Society

Asian Fisheries Society
Name	Asian Fisheries Society
Formation	1959
Type	Professional society
Headquarters	Bangkok, Thailand
Region served	Asia-Pacific
Membership	Researchers, practitioners, students
Leader title	President

Asian Fisheries Society is a regional professional society fostering research, development, and management of fisheries and aquaculture across the Asia-Pacific region, linking scientists, managers, and industry from countries such as India, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Philippines. It promotes collaboration among institutions like the Food and Agriculture Organization, WorldFish Center, Fisheries Research Agency (Japan), Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, and universities including University of the Philippines, Bangladesh Agricultural University, University of Tokyo, National Taiwan Ocean University, and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

History

The society was established in 1959 against a backdrop of post-war reconstruction and regional cooperation involving stakeholders from India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Early interactions featured experts affiliated with the British Colonial Service, United Nations Development Programme, International Development Association, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Founding activities connected with conferences held in venues such as Colombo and Bangkok and involved researchers from institutions like Ceylon Fisheries Department, Tokyo University of Fisheries, University of Madras, University of the Philippines Los Baños, and Ichthyological Society of Japan. Over subsequent decades the society coordinated with international programs including the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission and projects financed by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and bilateral partners like Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Organization and Governance

Governance follows a constitution adopted by elected representatives from member chapters in nations including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. A governing council comprises officers drawn from academic institutions such as University of British Columbia-affiliated researchers, Hokkaido University, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and national agencies like Department of Fisheries (Thailand), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (India), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Committees address areas overlapping with organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and regional bodies including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Administrative functions interact with partners like Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific and non-governmental groups such as Wetlands International and Conservation International.

Membership and Chapters

Membership spans professional categories — researchers, practitioners, students — from institutions such as Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, CIFRI, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, National Fisheries University (Japan), and Indian Council of Agricultural Research. National chapters operate in jurisdictions including India, China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. Student chapters link with universities like University of the Philippines Diliman, Kasetsart University, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Annamalai University, Tribhuvan University, and Bharathidasan University. Collaboration extends to professional societies such as the World Aquaculture Society, European Aquaculture Society, American Fisheries Society, and regional networks like Pacific Community.

Publications and Conferences

The society publishes scholarly journals and conference proceedings edited by academics from Hokkaido University, University of Tokyo, Nagasaki University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Bangor University contributors, and researchers from Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences. Periodicals and newsletters disseminate research on topics intersecting with studies from WorldFish Center, International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. Major conferences and symposia convene in cities like Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Hyderabad, Beijing, Seoul, and Taipei, often coordinated with events hosted by FAO and partner congresses such as the World Fisheries Congress and meetings of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission. Workshops involve experts from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, CSIRO, Wageningen University, and James Cook University.

Programs and Projects

Programmatic work includes capacity building, training, and technical assistance in collaboration with FAO, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, JICA, and institutions such as Bangladesh Agricultural University, University of the Philippines, India’s Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, and National Institute of Fisheries Science (Korea). Projects address aquaculture development, stock assessment, and resource management linked with initiatives by Sea Around Us, IUCN, Oceana, and regional platforms like ASEAN fisheries mechanisms. The society has supported trials and extension in areas including shrimp farming and tilapia culture with partners such as WorldFish, Aquaculture Without Frontiers, Global Aquaculture Alliance, and national research centers including CIFA, CMFRI, ICAR-NBFGR, and Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute.

Awards and Recognition

The society honors contributions through awards and lectureships named after eminent figures from institutions like University of Tokyo, University of the Philippines, Bangor University, and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Recipients have included scientists affiliated with FAO, WorldFish, IUCN, CSIRO, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hokkaido University, James Cook University, and national bodies such as Department of Fisheries (Thailand) and Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute. Awards recognize excellence in research, extension, and policy engagement linked to international prizes like the Blue Planet Prize and collaborations with organizations including Ramsar Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity.

Category:Fisheries organizations