The IFRDMD delegation was warmly received by YBhg. Dato’ Haji Azahari bin Haji Othman, Deputy Director General of DoF Malaysia, together with his staff. Fisheries officers from Pahang also joined the meeting online. The visit provided an opportunity for both institutions to discuss upcoming technical activities in Pahang and to align their priorities in support of sustainable fisheries development.
Dato’ Haji Azahari bin Haji Othman welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of continued partnership between DoF Malaysia and SEAFDEC/IFRDMD.
“We welcome this visit from SEAFDEC/IFRDMD. Collaboration like this will strengthen our institutions and help us address fisheries challenges more effectively together,” said Dato’ Haji Azahari bin Haji Othman.
Chief of IFRDMD, Dr. Maulana Firdaus, explained that the visit aimed to present the planned activities in Pahang scheduled for 27–30 June 2026. The activities will be implemented under two Japan Trust Fund VII-supported projects, namely “Improving Fisher’s Livelihood and Fisheries Co-management in Inland and Coastal Small-scale Fisheries” and “Enhanced Research Capacities for Sustainable Utilization and Management of Eel and Other Inland Fisheries Resources.”
A six-member IFRDMD team, consisting of the Chief, Deputy Chief, and technical staff, will conduct a socio-economic assessment using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) approaches, as well as a fish stock assessment using hydroacoustic tools.
“The objective of our visit is to share our planned activities in Pahang this coming June. Through these activities, our team will carry out socio-economic and fish stock assessments to support sustainable inland fisheries management in the region,” said Dr. Maulana.
In addition to the assessments, the mission will also focus on knowledge transfer. The IFRDMD team will share lessons learned and conduct capacity-building activities for DoF Malaysia staff on the implementation of socio-economic and fish stock assessment methods.
The engagement concluded with a souvenir exchange between both parties as a symbol of appreciation and a lasting memory of the strengthened collaboration between DoF Malaysia and SEAFDEC/IFRDMD.