Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD)

Year 2013-2019 : Promotion of Countermeasures to Reduce IUU Fishing

Promotion of Countermeasures to Reduce IUU Fishing 
(Year : 2013-2019) 


1 Brief Project Description

In every country in the Southeast Asian Region, efforts are now focusing on the promotion of sustainable fisheries management and countermeasures against IUU fishing. The recognition on the importance of fishing management schemes such as fishing license, boats registration and etc. as effective measures to promote sustainable use and the long-term conservation of marine living resources has been increasing in the region. Following the direction of Resolution and Plan of Action, the SEAFDEC Training Department (TD) has been implementing the project titled “Promotion of Countermeasures to reduce IUU Fishing”, to enhance collaboration of SEAFDEC Member Countries in reducing IUU fishing in the region. This project consists of: 1) Promotion and development of the regional fishing vessels record (RFVR); 2) Strengthening of Port State Measures and other surveillance measures in the region; and 3) Promotion of Information Material.

 

 

2 Background and Justification

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing can take place in all capture fisheries. Efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks are undermined by IUU fishing, which can lead to the collapse of fisheries or can seriously impair efforts to rebuild fish stocks that have already been depleted. This may result in the loss of both short- and long-term social and economic opportunities and could have negative impacts on food security.

The Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security Towards 2020 which was adopted in ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference Fish for the People 2020 “Adaptation to a Changing Environment” in Bangkok, Thailand during 13-17 June 2011emphazises on: 1) strengthening regional and national policy and legislation to implement measures and activities to combat IUU fishing, including the development and implementation of national plans of action to combat IUU fishing, and promoting the awareness and understanding of international and regional instruments and agreements through information dissemination campaigns, 2) establishing and strengthening regional and sub-regional coordination on fisheries management and efforts to combat IUU fishing including the development of regional/sub-regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) networks, 3) facilitating consultative dialogue among fisheries legal officers to share, at the sub-regional/regional level, perspectives of the respective legal and regulatory framework in terms of developing MCS-networks and to take action to combat IUU fishing, and 4) building up capacity among Member Countries, including functions for regional and sub-regional cooperation, to effectively meet the requirements of port state measures and flag state responsibilities.

Following the direction of Resolution and Plan of Action, the SEAFDEC Training Department (TD) has been implementing the project titled “Promotion of Countermeasures to reduce IUU Fishing” in coordination and cooperation with SEAFDEC Member Countries to reduce IUU fishing activities in the region. This project was originally planned to be implemented from 2013 to 2017. However, in the SEAFDEC activities in the project since 2013, including the regional fishing vessels record (RFVR) and Port State Measures, it has become clearer that an extension of the project period will provide more benefits to SEAFDEC member countries in terms of combating IUU, including by updating RFVR Database and strengthening capacity building on PSM implementation. Moreover, these activities were raised up in the high level meeting such as SEAFDEC Council Meeting, FCG-ASSP, SOM, and ASEAN Meeting, where it was agreed that all activities are important as tools to reduce IUU fishing. Thus it has been proposed in this project document to extend the period by 2 years, until 2019.

3 Project Overall Objectives, Outcomes, Outputs, Indicators and Activities

3.1 Objectives, Outcome and Output of the Project 

Objective Outcomes Outputs Activities
Objective 1:
Improving Counter measures to reduce IUU fishing
Outcome 1:
Coordination, cooperation and application of countermeasure to reduce IUU fishing activities by Member Countries
Output 1:
Regional Fishing Vessel Record database in the region
Activity 1:
Promotion and development of the regional fishing vessels record (RFVR)
Objective 2:
Strengthening awareness building and common understanding on counter measures to reduce IUU fishing
Output 2:
Countries awareness building and common understanding of Port State Measure activities as a tool to reduce IUU fishing
Activity 2:
Strengthening of Port State Measures and other surveillance measures in the region
Activity 3:
Production of information materials



3.2 Overall Scope/Description of Project

Activity 1

1) Promotion of Regional Fishing Vessels Record (RFVR) 

Description

Sub-activity 1.1: Development and management of RFVR Database Follow up the approval of the Regional Fishing Vessels Record (RFVR) activity by the SEAFDEC Council at its 45th Meeting in 2013. The database of regional vessels record of 24 meters in length and over has been designed and developed in collaboration with SEAFDEC Member Countries. The database will use as tool to combat IUU fishing in the region.

Sub-activity 1.2: Technical workshop on RFVR database development and management The technical workshop will be organized depend need and suitable. The selected/ nominated person who are involved in/and responsible for this activity. The selected relevant Member Country will be invited to participate in the workshop/ TD staffs who conduct in this database will visit each country to discuss and consult for development and management on database of RFVR of 24 meters in length and over.

Sub-activity 1.3: Technical assistant on using of RFVR Database The technical assistance on using of RFVR database and existing mechanism in SEAFDEC Member Countries will be conducted. The output will support and strengthen system of fishing license and vessel registration for Member Countries to reduce IUU fishing.

Activity 2

2) Strengthening of Port State Measures and other surveillance measures in the region

Description

Sub-activity 2.1: Providing technical assistant on PSMs facilities and existing mechanism in SEAFDEC Member Countries The technical assistance on PSMs facilities and existing mechanism in SEAFDEC Member Countries will be conducted. The output information will be used to prepare and organize on-site training and workshop on strengthen of PSMs and other surveillance measures to reduce IUU fishing in collaboration with SEAFDEC Member Countries.

Sub-activity 2.2: Facilitating implementation of PSM in the Southeast Asian Region In this activity, regional consultations to discuss and facilitating implementation of PSM in the region will be organized in collaboration with SEAFDEC Secretariat.

Activity 3

3) Production of information materials

Description

Production on information and promotional materials such as VDO, poster, report and etc. related to counter measures to IUU fisheries activities will be carried out during the implementation of the project activities and disseminated to the SEAFDEC Member Countries and worldwide.


Contacts Address

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Training Department
P.O.Box 97, Phasamutchedi Samut Prakan 10290, Thailand
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  +66 2425 6100
  +66 2425 6110 to 11