The recently concluded "ASEAN-SEAFDEC Millennium Fisheries Conference and Exhibition" held in Bangkok from November 20 to 24, 2001 cast a bright new light on prospects for the region. This important event showed very clearly that the ten ASEAN countries are united in their intention to properly and rigorously manage their fisheries for the future. The associated exhibition equally clearly showed that the Asian industry is going through a rapid modernization process.

Almost 2,400 people from throughout the region and further afield attended the exhibition which comprised 100 stands with exhibits from all ASEAN countries and more than 30 others as well. The main ASEAN SEAFDEC conference attracted some 800 delegates and the Asian Fisheries Federation conference of fishing boat owners and operators attracted an additional 100. Exhibition Organiser Michael Orr said: "There was an intensely positive attitude prevailing from almost every exhibitor, with most reporting making excellent contacts and even some direct sales during the exhibition. It is quite obvious that the ASEAN region is about to take off in terms of fisheries development."

The organisers of the exhibition, Baird Publications, have decided that, following the success of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC event, they will be holding a similar event annually, the next one to be held in Bangkok in late January to early February, 2003.