SEAFDEC conducts kick-off workshop to advance sustainable seaweed aquaculture

The SEAFDEC Secretariat hosted the Virtual Inception Workshop of the Blue Horizon: Ocean Relief through Seaweed Aquaculture Project on 14 August 2025. The Workshop brought together 41 participants including representatives from the SEAFDEC Member Countries, SEAFDEC Secretariat, SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (AQD), SEAFDEC Project Management Unit (PMU), and partner agencies.

The Workshop was opened by the SEAFDEC Secretary-General, Dr. Suttinee Limthammahisorn, emphasizing the importance of building a shared understanding of the Project’s objectives, strategies, and outcomes to ensure coordinated implementation. Meanwhile, the Lead Manager from World Wildlife Fund-United States (WWF-US), Ms. Rachel Kaplan, reaffirmed the role of (WWF-US) as the implementing agency and encouraged active engagement of the SEAFDEC Member Countries in shaping regional seaweed aquaculture guides and principles.

Subsequently, the Workshop proceeded with the presentations made by SEAFDEC PMU, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Philippines, and Department of Fisheries (DFiS) of Viet Nam, which covered the topics, namely: 1) Project objectives and key updates of each executing agency; 2) Project structure, components, outcomes, theory of change, and upcoming work plans; and 3) Project governance arrangements, including the establishment of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and the Seaweed Technical Working Group (STWG), alongside expected roles and responsibilities of the Member Countries. Moreover, the Project Manager/Technical Advisor, Mr. Muhamad Nour, highlighted gender integration through a dedicated Gender Action Plan to ensure inclusivity across project activities. At the closing of the Workshop, the SEAFDEC Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Koichi Tahara, thanked the participants and encouraged the project partners to continue this momentum as the Project moves toward its next milestones, including PSC and STWG establishment and Year 2 work plan implementation.

The Project is funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) implemented through the WWF-US and executed by SEAFDEC, BFAR, and DFiS. The Workshop marked the official start of the four-year Project implementation with the goals to strengthen sustainable seaweed aquaculture, enhance coastal ecosystems, and improve livelihoods in the region.