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

Every country in the Southeast Asian region and regional efforts are now focusing on the promotion of sustainable fisheries management and countermeasures to IUU fishing. This is also in cognizant with the role of fishing management schemes such as fishing license, boats registration system, port state control, and Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) in the adoption of effective measures to promote the sustainable use and the long-term conservation of marine living resources.

          1.To promote fishing license, boats registration system and port state measures to combat IUU fishing

          2. To develop regional guidelines on license, boats registration system and port state measures in Southeast Asia

          3. To promote MCS management to combat IUU fishing for sustainable fisheries in the region

          4. To develop regional guideline to prevent IUU fishing and its products from being exported

          5. To assist the SEAFDEC Member Countries in application and implementation of measures to combat IUU fishing
          

Activity 1:  Promotion of fishing license, boats registration system and port state measures to combat IUU fishing (Lead by TD)

Sub-activity 1.1: Preparatory process of the project activities

1.1.1 Literature review and documentary analysis
         An intensified literature review and documentary analysis will be conducted through a study of the existing reports and documents that include the works of Sida, FAO/APFIC, ASEAN-RPOA and those of the Member Countries on fishing license and boat registration including port state measures. This is aimed at analyzing the present scenario which could be used as basis for the formulation of the necessary activities without duplication of efforts. It is also envisaged that in the analysis, the specifics to be designed under the project activities should be complementary and coordinated with the various relevant projects being or had been implemented in the region.

1.1.2 Regional/international coordination and cooperation
         Regional/international coordination and cooperation will be enhanced through discussions and consultation with the Member Countries and other international organizations in order to seek their cooperation and support during the implementation of the activities of the project. Participation of the project staff in relevant regional/international meetings and workshops to exchange information will also be part of this activity. (The regional coordination will be also conducted through the mobilization of the WGRFP system develop in SEAFDEC)

1.1.3 Identification and establishment of core expert groups
         Follow up activities on the identification of regional/international experts will be conducted during the activities on the regional/international coordination and cooperation. The expert groups will be established to serve as the workforce for the preparation and development of the regional guidelines on fishing license and boat registration and other related port state measures.

Sub-activity 1.2: Development of regional guidelines on fishing license and boat registration system and other related port state measures in Southeast Asia

1.2.1 Regional core expert meeting
         After the experts/focal point groups are established from Activity 1, SEAFDEC will invite the regional core experts on fishing license and boat registration from the SEAFDEC Member Countries and other organizations/institutions to discuss and develop the draft regional guidelines through sharing and exchange of related information and experiences among the experts. The technical components of the regional guidelines may include in-country coordination on fishing boat registration, improved registration for licensing, appropriate concept of zoning, responsible government units either at the central and provincial levels through appropriate policy on the delegation of management authorities, licensing methodologies, documentation and enforcement measures including appropriate MCS systems. A seven-day session would be necessary to formulate the first draft of the regional guidelines.

Sub-activity 1.3: Production of information and promotional materials

Production on information and promotional materials on fishing license, boat registration system and port state measures to combat IUU fishing will be carried out during the implementation of the project activities. Finally, the regional guidelines will be produced and disseminated to the SEAFDEC Member Countries and worldwide.  

Activity 2: Promotion of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) to combat IUU fishing in Southeast Asia (Lead by TD)

Sub-activity 2.1: Regional workshop on review and improvement of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance system (MCS) in Southeast Asia
         The regional workshop will elaborate on the common understanding of the MCS package, design consideration and operation procedures which could be effective to combat IUU fishing in the Southeast Asian region. Representatives of the Member Countries who are focal points and external resource persons will be invited for the workshop. Review of MCS experience of each country will be carried out and identify the lessons that can be applied in the region. Moreover, brainstorming of appropriate MCS tools for fishery management to combat IUU will be conducted. The regional MCS network will also be established to promote and share information through coordination of regional activities that support the promotion of responsible fishing practices.

Sub-activity 2.2: National training/workshop on the promotion of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance system (MCS) to combat IUU fishing
         The national training and workshops will be conducted in collaboration with the respective SEAFDEC Member Countries as follow up activities of the regional workshop on MCS. Representatives from the government agencies, stakeholders and others sectors concerned will be invited to participate in this activity. The national training and workshops are envisaged to promote knowledge and understanding of the fishing industry about MCS activities, and also to develop appropriate observer programs. Moreover, the workshops would also address various concerns including the requirements of the fishing industry to adhere to inspection regimes and carry observer onboard when required and to build up awareness on the effectiveness of the use of MCS tools for sustainable fisheries to combat IUU fishing.  Implementation of MCS in the countries will be conducted through case studies to assess the level of its application and adoption in the country. This activity is also expected to establish the network and voluntary groups to promote MCS to combat IUU fishing in the respective countries.

Activity 3: Preventing export of IUU fishing product (Lead by MFRDMD)

Sub-activity 3.1 : Gathering information regarding export of fisheries products from ASEAN
Member countries

Information on the present status of export of fisheries products from SEAFDEC Member Countries will be collected from focal persons, the information needed will be as follows :-

1. Type of fishery products eg. Fish , prawns etc
2. Nature of products eg. dried , fresh fillet, fresh whole fish, fish-ball, fish-cake
3. Weight or volume per month /year , Value of exports
4. Importing country, port of entry , mode of transportation

Sub-activity 3.2 :  Preparation of questionnaires by MFRDMD

The questionnaires will be prepared by MFRDMD .

Sub-activity 3.3 : Filling – up of questionnaires

The questionnaires will be fill up by officials and stakeholders from SEAFDEC member countries

Sub-activity 3.4 : Regional workshop on export of fishery products

A workshop for information gathering regarding export of fisheries products and recommendation on the type of information required for development of a regional guidelines.

No	Title	Year	Download
1	Report on Regional Core Experts Meeting on Fishing License, Boat Registration and Information on Export of Fisheries Products in Southeast Asia, 4-7 October 2011, Bangkok, Thailand	2011	12 MB.