PHILIPPINES: Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo received newly-appointed Philippine Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Mr. Lionel Henri Valentin at the Department of Foreign Affairs on 07 February 2023. Mr. Dabbadie assumed his role at FAO on 31 January 2023. “We consider FAO an important ally in our country’s aim to attain food security and improve nutrition,” said Secretary Manalo. He emphasized how food security is among the country’s top priorities and how it underpins all pillars of the recently launched Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. The Secretary also commended Mr. Dabbadie’s extensive background in aquaculture…

FIJI: In January 2023, Fishing Aggregate Devices (FAD’s) were deployed in the waters of Kia in Macuata and Galoa, Yaqaga and Tavea in Bua. Facilitated by UN FAO, communities were trained on FAD fishing techniques as well as Basic Sea Safety. Communities were also handed over sets of fishing gear including iceboxes, fishing lines, lifejackets and fibreglass materials valued at $12k per community. The Ministry thanks UN FAO for the assistance rendered so far to assist in rebuilding communities. Source: Ministry of Fisheries Fiji, Twitter.

BANGLADESH: Bangladesh’s shrimp export industry was already facing major declines, as 72 percent of the world’s shrimp market is occupied by vannamei shrimp, also known as white leg shrimp, while the country mainly exports black tiger shrimp, or ‘bagda’, and scampi shrimp, or ‘galda’. According to industry sources, Bangladesh's shrimp export business suffered another major setback as the current global economic slump also took a heavy toll on the world's food market.As a result, one of the major export items of Bangladesh, shrimp, has lost 80 percent of its previous demand on the world market. On top of that, export…

MALAYSIA: Fishermen in the country are advised to register with associations that are recognised by the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) to facilitate the process of channeling assistance to them in the event of a disaster. LKIM director-general Yusoff Othman (pix) said LKIM can only help fishermen who are members of such associations and there are many benefits they could enjoy by becoming members. “Fishermen must be registered with the fishermen’s association because we want to get data so that we can ensure they are protected. Based on our data, there are 20,000 to 30,000 fishermen who are still not…