A representative from SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD), Mr. Kongpathai Saraphaivanich, Training and Information Section Head, participated in the “Regional Coordination Meeting for Asia on the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA)”, held from 21 to 25 July 2025 in Davao City, Philippines.
The crucial five-day meeting brought together 45 participants from 11 Asia countries, FAO, and regional fisheries bodies such as SEAFDEC, RPOA-IUU, and BOBP-IGO to assess the progress and challenges in implementing the 2009 FAO PSMA and related international instruments aimed at combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Throughout the meeting, discussions focused on critical aspects of fisheries management, including the status of PSMA implementation, the benefits and rollout of the FAO Global Information Exchange System (GIES), and the responsibilities of coastal, flag, port, and market states in deterring IUU activities. Outcomes from the Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the PSMA (MOP 5), emphasizing information exchange as the “vertebral column” of the Agreement, were also thoroughly reviewed.
A highlight of SEAFDEC’s participation was its comprehensive presentation titled “Ongoing Initiative Activities to Combat IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia by SEAFDEC.” This session effectively showcased SEAFDEC’s pivotal role and ongoing projects, particularly those implemented by SEAFDEC/TD with support from the Japanese Trust Fund, ASEAN-JICA, and FAO, in strengthening regional efforts to combat IUU fishing. The presentation detailed the implementation of various activities aimed at curbing illicit fishing practices across Southeast Asia.
The meeting facilitated robust group discussions on strategies to enhance port, flag, and coastal state performance, including through regional mechanisms and cooperation. Common challenges identified by participating countries included fragmented inter-agency cooperation on vessel registration, inadequate electronic systems for small-scale vessels, delays in information exchange, and insufficient monitoring and enforcement capacities for transshipment. In response to these challenges, participants proposed solutions such as developing harmonized electronic databases, strengthening inter-agency cooperation, implementing regional electronic systems like SEAFDEC’s Regional Fishing Vessel Records System to support verification, and increasing funding and human capacity for Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) efforts.
SEAFDEC’s active engagement underscored its role as a key regional leader in fisheries management. The insights gained from country presentations and discussions on regional needs and gaps will be instrumental for SEAFDEC in tailoring its future programs and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring they directly address the specific challenges faced by Southeast Asian nations in implementing the PSMA.
