The Regional Training Course on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982) in Fisheries Perspective

The ocean covers approximately 70.8% of the surface of the earth and serves as a vital resource for various activities such as transportation, industry, and fisheries. To ensure the sustainable use of marine resources and the peaceful operation of marine activities, it is essential to establish rules and regulations in line with international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982) provides the framework for these regulations, encompassing a wide range of matters, including State rights and obligations in maritime zones, marine resource utilization, marine environment protection, marine scientific research, and more.

Over the past decade, Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing has emerged as a significant global concern. IUU fishing encompasses a broad spectrum of fishing activities, occurring both within national jurisdictions and on the high seas. It poses a threat to sustainable fisheries management, fishery resources, and marine biodiversity. To combat IUU fishing effectively, the European Union has initiated IUU Regulations based on UNCLOS 1982, urging all countries, including those in ASEAN, to address this issue seriously.

To enhance the capacity and knowledge of fisheries officers from ASEAN Member States (AMSs) in relation to UNCLOS 1982 and its implications for fisheries, as well as to share information on the National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA-IUU) and international agreements related to IUU fishing, SEAFDEC/TD is organizing the Regional Training Course on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982) in Fisheries Perspective in Bangkok, Thailand