The Training Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/TD), with support from GIZ, organized the “Practical Workshop on Strengthening Fisheries Observer Programs for Effective Combating of IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia” from 18 to 20 August 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Workshop brought together 46 participants, comprising fisheries officers responsible for fisheries observer programs and Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) activities from the ASEAN Member States, as well as representatives from GIZ, the SEAFDEC Secretariat, and SEAFDEC/TD. Resource persons from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Philippines, and Department of Fisheries (DOF) Thailand also shared their knowledge, experiences, and good practices with the participants.
The Workshop aimed to strengthen the participants’ knowledge of the roles and functions of fisheries observers within national and regional MCS systems and their contribution to combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It also enhanced participants’ practical skills in species and fishing gear identification and in the collection, verification, and reporting of reliable observer data. In addition, the Workshop introduced Electronic Monitoring (EM) technologies and hybrid human-EM approaches and explored their complementary roles in improving observer coverage and strengthening fisheries monitoring.
Throughout the three-day Workshop, participants exchanged information and experiences on the implementation of fisheries observer programs in the region, including existing practices, challenges, and lessons learned. Practical sessions provided opportunities for participants to strengthen their skills relevant to observer-based surveillance and compliance monitoring, while discussions on EM technologies highlighted their potential application and integration into national fisheries observer programs.
The Workshop enhanced participants’ knowledge and practical skills in fisheries observer-based surveillance and compliance monitoring for combating IUU fishing. It also promoted a shared understanding of EM technologies and their potential integration into national observer programs, identified good practices for strengthening fisheries observer programs and their integration into national MCS systems, and strengthened regional cooperation and networking among fisheries authorities and observer program personnel in support of collective efforts to combat IUU fishing in Southeast Asia.
