On December 16, 2024, SEAFDEC/IFRDMD successfully held a Public Lecture at the IFRDMD Building in Palembang, Indonesia. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, allowing in-person and online participation. The lecture featured two distinguished speakers: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sanit Piyapattanakorn from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, and Dr. Worata Klinsawat from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr. Tomoko Nakazato, Deputy Secretary General of SEAFDEC, opened the event, emphasizing genetic data’s critical importance for the conservation of fish. Her remarks set the stage for the insightful discussions that followed.
In his lecture, Dr. Sanit Piyapattanakorn presented the “Application of Genetic Data for Population Management and Conservation,” focusing on using genetic information to manage and conserve fish populations. Dr. Worata Klinsawat followed with a lecture titled “Genetics in Action: Case Studies in Wildlife Conservation and Resource Management,” offering real-world examples of how genetics can be applied in wildlife conservation efforts and resource management.
The session was skillfully moderated by Ms. Diana Luspa, ensuring a smooth flow of discussions and engagement. The lecture drew active participation from attendees representing a variety of institutions, including Universitas Sriwijaya, Universitas Riau, Universitas Bengkulu, Universitas PGRI Palembang, Universitas Muhammadiyah Palembang, the South Sumatra Provincial Office of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, fisheries extension officers, staff from the Research Institute for Inland Fisheries and Extension, and IFRDMD staff.
The event concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, reflecting the participants’ keen interest and commitment to fish conservation through the application of genetic data. This successful public lecture underscored SEAFDEC/IFRDMD’s ongoing efforts to advance knowledge and collaboration in the field of inland fisheries management.