The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), led by Secretary-General, Ms. Sampan Panjarat, together with representatives from the Project Planning and Management Division (PPMD) and SEAFDEC Activity Leaders representing each BOBLME II project component, participated virtually in the First Malaysia National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) Meeting for the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Phase II: Sustainable Management of Fisheries, Marine Living Resources and Their Habitats in the Bay of Bengal Region for the Benefit of Coastal States and Communities, held on 7 April 2026 at the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, Putrajaya. The Meeting was conducted under the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystems Phase II (BOBLME II) project, implemented by FAO and executed by IUCN, BOBP IGO, and SEAFDEC, with funding support from GEF and Norad.
The Meeting was chaired by Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Director General of Fisheries Malaysia, and brought together key stakeholders from national agencies and partner organizations to discuss Malaysia’s engagement in the BOBLME II project.
During the Meeting, representatives from the FAO, IUCN, and SEAFDEC joined the discussions and provided updates on the overall project framework and implementation arrangements. The sessions highlighted the collaborative efforts among regional and national partners in promoting sustainable fisheries management and conserving marine ecosystems in the Bay of Bengal region.
On behalf of SEAFDEC, the Secretary-General delivered remarks virtually, emphasizing SEAFDEC’s commitment to supporting Member Countries in implementing the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, improving port management, promoting the marking of fishing gear, and strengthening regional cooperation. This was followed by an online presentation from Ms. Suwanee Sayan, Senior Project Planning and Management Officer, who introduced the SEAFDEC-led components and the proposed national work plan for Malaysia under the BOBLME II project.
The Meeting also discussed and confirmed the composition and Terms of Reference of the National Project Steering Committee, as well as key activities for 2026 and the necessary actions to be undertaken. These include capacity-building initiatives, national consultations, and the implementation of priority fisheries management plans.
The successful convening of the First NPSC Meeting marks an important milestone for Malaysia in advancing the implementation of the BOBLME Phase II project. SEAFDEC reaffirmed its readiness to continue working closely with Malaysia and other regional partners, both onsite and virtually, to achieve the shared goal of sustainable fisheries and healthy marine ecosystems in the Bay of Bengal region.
