SEAFDEC, or Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, was established on the basis of the proposal submitted by the Philippine Government and approved at the Fourth Meeting of the SEAFDEC Council held in Manila on January 18-22, 1971. The signatories of the Agreement are the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and South Vietnam. Besides the six member countries, there are also other countries that show great interest in the projects of the SEAFDEC. The primary purpose of the SEAFDEC is to undertake research, train experts and technicians and promote the exchange of information for the development of the aquaculture industry in the Southeast Asian region.

Sobrevaga, B. S. (1975, April 26). SEAFDEC: A boon to the fishing industry. The Visayan Tribune, p. 5.