SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
From 13 to 16 January 2026, SEAFDEC, led by Mr. Toru Shimoda, Deputy Chief of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD, and Mr. Fumiya Takahashi, Senior Expert and Assistant Project Manager for the Japanese Trust Fund Programs of the SEAFDEC Secretariat and JAIF-Eel Project Manager, conducted a series of technical visits and consultation meetings in Japan under the JAIF Eel Project to validate and strengthen stock assessment methods for tropical anguillid eels in Southeast Asia.
During the mission, SEAFDEC visited the Isshiki Eel Farmers Cooperative Society and the Hamanako Eel Farming Production Association to learn about Japan’s eel farming practices and resource management approaches, including production management, processing operations, sex selection techniques, and restocking initiatives.
SEAFDEC also held a discussion meeting with the Fisheries Agency of Japan and the Fishery Research and Education Agency to exchange scientific and management perspectives and receive expert recommendations to strengthen the regional applicability of the developed methodologies.
In addition, SEAFDEC held technical consultations with Prof. Dr. Toshihide Kitakado of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, resource person for the JAIF Eel Project; and visited the Institute of Freshwater Biology , Nagano University, to discuss ongoing research and observe facilities related to eel ecology and resource management.
Overall, the mission provided an important opportunity for SEAFDEC to strengthen collaboration with Japanese partners, exchange technical knowledge, and enhance the scientific rigor of the JAIF Eel Project outputs toward sustainable management of tropical anguillid eel resources in the region.
