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DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF REGIONAL TOOLS (RFVR and PSM)
REGISTER ON
27 AUGUST 2020REGISTER ON
28 AUGUST 2020
The growing domestic and international demand for fish and fishery products has been resulting in the excessive exploitation of aquatic resources in the world including the Southeast Asian region. The increasing demand for fish has driven fishers to catch more fish by all means even to the extent of practicing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Taking into account of IUU fishing appeared in the ASEAN Member States (AMSs) such as poaching in the waters of the neighboring country(ies), illegally crossing the border for landing their catch due to the higher market price, and operating a stateless fishing vessel in the waters of two countries without its deregistration, these forms of IUU fishing are problems and affect to the management of fisheries. During the past ten years, the Southeast Asian countries have focused their efforts towards the promotion of sustainable fisheries management and the implementation of countermeasures to address IUU fishing. At regional level, SEAFDEC has been promoting the development of regional tools and supporting AMSs for combating IUU fishing, such as the Regional Fishing Vessels Record (RFVR) and the Port State Measures (PSM).
The Regional Fishing Vessels Record for 24 meters in length and over (RFVR-24m) and its database system were developed by SEAFDEC in 2015 through a series of Regional Expert Meetings and Regional Technical Consultations. Currently, the RFVR-24m includes the 28 Key Data Elements (KDEs) as information required to support the fishing vessel inspection by Port State to protect the IUU fishing vessels’ entry into port. It is expected that the RFVR work as a practical tool for the relevant Government authorities of the AMSs in checking and taking corrective actions against inappropriate behavior of fishing vessels. Therefore, it is important for AMSs to continue updating its data in the RFVR-24m every year to be served as a tool to combat IUU fishing effectively in the ASEAN region. Further, to effectively utilize the RFVR data for the AMSs, it is considered that the number of focal users who can access the RFVR data must be increased in each AMS.
In addition, according to a report from the AMSs, it has been noted that IUU fishing activities are mainly undertaken by a fishing vessel length less than 24 meters in the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea, especially near the boundary area between two countries. About 89 percent of fishing vessels in Southeast Asia is less than 24 meters in length. Therefore, the development of RFVR less than 24 meters could also be considered as a supplemental tool to combat IUU fishing. Especially, the results of the questionnaires on RFVR-24m and fishing vessels less than 24 meters in length at the national and regional level were discussed at the Regional Technical Workshop on RFVR held at the SEAFDEC Training Department in December 2018, and the workshop recommended that the RFVR database less than 24 meters would benefit AMSs at national and regional level as a useful tool to prevent IUU fishing, and the development of RFVR less than 24 meters (e.g. A range of vessel length could be between 18 meters and 23.99 meters) should be discussed and planned as soon as possible in cooperation with AMSs.
The Port State Measures (PSM) are requirements established or interventions undertaken by Port States which a foreign fishing vessel must comply with or is subjected to as a condition for the use of ports within the port State. Improved strength and coordination of PSM and other surveillance activities will be necessary to maximize the benefit from such surveillances.
In the Southeast Asian region, the “Resolution & Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security Towards 2020” emphasizes to build up national capacities among the Member Countries (MCs), including functions for regional and sub-regional cooperation, to effectively meet the requirements of PSM and flag State responsibilities. In addition, the recommendations from the several regional meetings and workshops emphasized that SEAFDEC and its partners should support and assist MCs to implement PSM activities through enhanced understanding of the requirements contained in the PSMA, to provide capacity building by engaging persons at all level, and to further strengthen regional cooperation to combat IUU fishing within the ASEAN region. Therefore, in support of the implementation of PSM for the ASEAN region, and in anticipation of the entry into force of the Agreement of PSM (PSMA) and the need for strengthened regional cooperation, the SEAFDEC has been promoting PSM activities in MCs through training activities (e.g. “The Regional Training on Port State Measures Implementation for Inspectors in Southeast Asia” organized by SEAFDEC/TD in collaboration with other international organizations to support the implementation and capacity building on PSM for inspectors in the region on July in 2019), and further supporting activities for the implementation of PSM (e.g. collaboration with FAO for supporting PSMA activities and cooperation with other regional organizations for “watch list” of IUU fishing vessels).
Furthermore, considering that SEAFDEC is planning convene the “Teleseminar on Way Forward for Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia” from 24 to 26 August 2020, and come up with the “Way Forward for Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia,” it is expected that the AMSs should thoroughly consider and share their views on such “Way forward” in order that such document should serve as basis for SEAFDEC to consider formulating appropriate activities in responding to the need of the AMSs in the future.
The SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) therefore is planning to convene the “Teleworkshop on Development and Improvement of Regional Tools for Combating IUU fishing in the Southeast Asia” from 27 to 28 August 2020, back to back with the Teleseminar on Way Forward for Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia, 24 to 26 August 2020.
The “Teleworkshop on Development and Improvement of Regional Tools for Combating IUU fishing in the Southeast Asia” has objectives to:
1. Discuss way forward of the RFVR Database for vessels 24 meter in length and over;
2. Seek views from AMSs on development of the RFVR Database for vessels less than 24 meters in length;
3. Seek views from AMSs on required supports from SEAFDEC for effective and efficient implementation of PSM; and
4. Discuss and seek recommendations from AMSs on the “Way Forward for Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia” developed during the Teleseminar on Way Forward for Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia” held on 24-26 August 2020.
1. Way forward for the RFVR for vessels 24 meters in length and over, and the RFVR for vessels less than 24 meters in length
2. Future actions for the effective and efficient implementation of PSM
3. Recommendations from the AMSs on the “Way Forward for Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia”
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9:00-9:10 a.m. | Opening |
SEAFDEC Secretary-General (Ms. Malinee Smithrithee ) |
9:10-11:00 a.m. |
Way Forward on RFVR Activities by SEAFDEC - RFVR 24 meters in length and over - RFVR less than 24 meters in length - Discussions - Conclusion |
SEAFDEC/TD Moderator: Mr. Sutee Rajruchithong |
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9:00-10:00 a.m. |
Way Forward on PSM Supporting Activities by SEAFDEC - Future actions required for the effective and efficient implementation of PSM - Discussions - Conclusion |
SEAFDEC/TD Moderator: Mr. Sutee Rajruchithong |
10:00-10:30 a.m. |
IUU fishing vessel watchlist: Views and requirements for establishment of watchlist at national and regional levels |
SEAFDEC/TD Moderator: Mr. Sutee Rajruchithong |
10.30-10.50 a.m. | Recommendations from AMSs on the “Way Forward for Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia” |
SEAFDEC Secretariat Moderator: Dr. Worawit Wanchana |
10:50-11:00 a.m. | Closing | SEAFDEC Deputy Secretary-General |
The “TELEWORKSHOP ON DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF REGIONAL TOOLS (RFVR and PSM) FOR COMBATING IUU FISHING IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA” will be held on Zoom Webinar; you can find the registration links for all sessions here:
Register on Day 1 Register on Day 2On the Zoom website, you can see the full guidance on how to join and participate in a webinar as a participant.
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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our SEAFDEC organizer team, Mr.Kongpathai Sarapahivanich (kongpathai@seafdec.org).