Enhancement of Regional Cooperation and Human Resource Development to Eliminate IUU Fishing
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1. Background
Presently, IUU fishing is still a serious problem at the global and regional levels. Every country has been implementing relevant activities such as strengthening monitoring and control systems, improving data collection and reporting, and collaborating with other countries through regional fisheries organizations, to counter this issue. At the global level, FAO has been implementing the FAO Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Support Vessels, and Global Information Exchange System (GIES) to support and share information to combat IUU fishing between countries in the world.
At the regional level, the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Regional Meeting on the Resolution and Plan of Action for ASEAN Region Towards 2030 emphasized cooperation and implementation on fisheries management and efforts to combat IUU fishing including improvement of the capacity of relevant national authorities on relevant Monitoring, Control and Surveillance( MCS) to combat IUU fishing.
In response to the Resolution and Plan of Action for ASEAN Region Towards 2030, especially Resolution No.8 and Plan of Action No.30, SEAFDEC/TD implemented the project “Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Enhancing National Capacities to Eliminate IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia” from 2020 to 2024. The project in collaboration with AMSs developed the Regional Fishing Vessels Record (RFVR) database 24 meters in length and over. The AMSs can update and share information on fishing vessels by themselves to support the fishing vessel inspection to reduce the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing vessels. The electronic ASEAN Documentation Scheme (eACDS) as a prototype tool for the traceability of fish and fishery projects was developed and promoted to participating countries. Moreover, capacity-building programs such as port state measures for inspection, monitoring control and surveillance, etc. in supporting AMSs to Eliminate IUU Fishing were strengthened for 897 participants in the AMSs. However, the project end workshop in March 2024 came up with a suggestion on nine priority areas for future action to combat IUU fishing in Southeast Asia as follows vessel monitoring, strengthening MCS, regional cooperation on IUU information, encroachment of foreign vessels, strengthening catch documentation, development of national/regional estimation of IUU losses, strengthening evidence and procedures prosecution, monitor transshipment activity, and legal reform. Moreover, the AMSs requested SEAFDEC in several forums to emphasize and support capacity building for combating IUU fishing. According to this, SEAFDEC/TD will continue to support and cooperate with AMSs and partners for eliminating IUU fishing in the region.
2. Goal
To eliminate IUU fishing in the region by enhancing regional cooperation and building the capacity of AMSs
3. Objectives/ Outcomes
ASEAN Member States (AMSs) strengthen and cooperate in combating IUU fishing and implementation of MCS to eliminate IUU fishing in Southeast Asia
4. Gender sensitivity/responsiveness of the Project
SEAFDEC Gender Strategy 2.2. Integrate gender perspectives throughout the cycle of gender-sensitive programs and projects
- Promoting equitable participation of male and female stakeholders in the implementation of programs and projects where applicable
- Collecting and compiling sex-disaggregated data throughout the implementation of programs and projects
5. Results Chain of the Project
Outcome 1 :
ASEAN Member States (AMSs) strengthen and cooperate in combating IUU fishing and implementation of MCS to eliminate IUU fishing in Southeast Asia
Output 1.1:
Improvement of the RFVR database with a focus on carrier vessels for utilization between neighboring countries smaller than 24 meters in length (carrier vessels were shared in 1st phase in RFVR 24 meters in length and over)
Activity 1.1:
Activity 1.1.1:Regional workshops/ meetings on the RFVR database and sharing information to support eliminating IUU fishing
Organizing regional workshops/ meetings on RFVR databases and sharing information to eliminate IUU fishing such as carrier vessels for utilization between neighboring countries will be organized. The nomination from AMS will be invited to participate in the events.
Activity 1.1.2: Expansion of RFVR database on carrier vessels for utilization between neighboring countries smaller than 24 meters in length
The RFVR database focuses on carrier vessels for utilization between neighboring countries smaller than 24 meters in length will be expanded in collaboration, consultation, and agreement by AMSs.
Output 1.2:
Strengthen for traceability of fish and fishery products including commercial and small-scale fishers
Activity 1.2:
Activity 1.2.1: Study and improvement of traceability tools functionality to align with the market
Conducting a study to improve the capability of serving a purpose well of traceability tools such as the eACDS system to align with the export and domestic distribution market including commercial and small-scale fisheries.
Activity 1.2.2: Supporting AMSs utilizing traceability of fish and fishery products system
Training for capacity building on the traceability of fish and fishery products including commercial and small-scale fisheries through support AMSs utilizing international or regional fish and fishery products systems will be conducted.
Output 1.3:
Enhancement of capacity of the AMSs in combating IUU fishing relevant issues and/or monitoring control and surveillance (MCS) to eliminate IUU fishing
Activity 1.3:
Activity 1.3.1: Regional workshops/meetings for sharing information relevant to combat IUU fishing and/or MCS to eliminate IUU fishing among AMSs
Regional workshops/ meetings for sharing information relevant to combat IUU fishing issues and/or MCS to eliminate IUU fishing among AMS such as FAO transshipment guidelines, eliminating IUU fishing, suitable methods of estimation of IUU loss in national and regional levels, etc. will be organized. The nomination from AMS will be invited to participate in the events.
Activity 1.3.2: Capacities building on combating IUU fishing and/or MCS activities to eliminate IUU fishing
Training of capacities building relevant to combat IUU fishing and/or MCS activities to eliminate IUU fishing will be organized. The nomination from AMSs will be invited to participate and enhance their understanding, skill, and experience.
Activity 1.3.3: Participation in national/regional/international meetings relevant to eliminating IUU fishing
Participation in related national/regional/international meetings and/or workshops for Strengthening cooperation and networks with them through sharing information
Output 4:
National/regional/international network for collaborative activities to eliminate IUU fishing
Activity 4:
Activity 4.1: Coordination with international/regional/national organizations (e.g. FAO, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFB) and national agencies) in and beyond the region to support AMSs in the implementation of relevant activities to eliminate IUU fishing
Activity 4.2: Participation in national/regional/international meetings relevant to combating IUU fishing
