Activity updates

SEAT-KU team represented by Dr Kriengkrai and Ms Arlene attended the Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum held at Shanghai Ocean University last 20-24 April. A number of partners from other WPs were also present. While there Arlene presented a paper on "Developing sustainability indicators for shrimp and tilapia aquaculture in Thailand". This is part of the SEAT research project and especially for her PhD research work. We attended a number of sessions in the conference, and also browsed some of the posters and exhibition booths. We also attended the special session organised by SEAT and ASEM, wherein both projects presented their work and gave specific examples relevant to Asia. It was a well attended session and created genuine interest from the audience who wanted to know what projects like these are doing to better the linkages between Europe and Asia re: aquaculture.

SOU President Prof Yingjie Pan, Dr Liu Liping (SEAT-SOU PI), Dr Kriengkrai after SEAT breakfast meeting

After AFAF, the SEAT-SOU China conducted the State of the System Workshop in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province on 27 April. SEAT-KU and SEAT-CTU (Vietnam) joined the China team during 25-30 April and assisted and observed the pre-workshop, actual workshop and post-workshop activities. It was a great learning experience for us so we can have orientation on how to conduct our in-country SOS workshops this May.

A couple of days later were spent with PhD Stirling group for initial refinement of database info and analysis and to prepare for the PhD Stirling Workshop in May in Thailand.

Locally, in Thailand, the SEAT-KU field team were also busy preparing for the field work for WP5 & 8. Led by Ms Wanwichanee, the team were able to contact respondents and key informants for the WP5 livelihoods surveys and WP8 ethical framework interviews. Since 26 April, the field team together with a researcher each from WP5 and WP8  have been to Nakhon Pathom, Chachoengsao and Chanthaburi to meet with key informants and conduct focus group discussions related to each work package. Two field staff per WP (Mink & Fonn for WP5, Vi & Tong for WP8) are assigned to assist in translation and related field work.

Meanwhile, another staff in the office (Deaw) backstops for contacting and confirming meetings with respondents for the above field work. At the same time, he assists Dr Key and Ms Arlene in the logistical preparations for SOS workshop, mainly getting confirmations from invited participants. Other work related to preparation of SOS are being handled by this three due to lack of staff as they are in the field.

WP7 with 2 researchers from WUR is continuing, assisted by another Thai RA, Ms Jugk. They left today to the field site for 7 days continuous monitoring.

Another staff has been designated to conduct more work related to wholesale markets as there is really no documentation on this. The agency mandated to collect information on this has been contacted but theyu do not have any information to give, and even requested us to provide any info we gathered from the field to them for their records.

Thailand again has a long weekend holiday, from tomorrow until Tuesday. This is good for our field staff to have a rest after a hectic time in the field, and to have refreshment before facing the weeks ahead for the SOS workshop. However for a few of us, we will continue working despite the holiday, as there is still lots to do especially on data analysis, presentations and workshop content. And they all need to be translated into Thai.