Japanese involvements in the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center - Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD)

Abstract

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center has been acknowledged as one of the leading institutions in aquaculture industry by the scientific community contributing to the development of the fishing industry in the Philippines and in Southeast Asian region as a whole. Its success can be partly attributed to the assistance given by the Japanese. This study entitled — Japanese Involvement in Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD) and in the Philippine Fishing Industry was undertaken to support the claim that Japanese assistance to the Aquaculture Department mutually beneficial to Japan and the Philippines and the rest of the SEAFDEC Member Countries. High ranking staffs and scientists were interviewed to counter check the data collected in various publications. Findings revealed that Japanese assistance to the Aquaculture Department were motive driven however benefited Japan, the Philippines and Member Countries of SEAFDEC. It can be concluded that the existence of Japan as a member country greatly influence the operations of AQD.