The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have jointly pooled their resources to address food security and alleviate poverty in the rural areas through aquaculture. Member countries of the two organizations are now bracing themselves in preparation for the implementation of the Integrated Regional Aquaculture Program (IRAP), the flagship aquaculture program component under the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Special Five-Year Program. Developed and coordinated by SEAFDEC/AQD, IRAP intends to promote sustainable aquaculture technologies specifically in the rural areas. IRAP gave priority to two major areas to ensure sustainable development of aquaculture in the region namely, aquaculture for rural development and supply of good quality seeds with Vietnam and Indonesia as Lead Countries, respectively.

Aldon, E. T. (2002, October 9). SEAFDEC, ASEAN address poverty through aquaculture. The Visayas Examiner, p. 2.