The Training Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/TD) organized the “Regional Workshop on Enhancing Policies and Countermeasures Against IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia” from 14 to 16 October 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Workshop brought together 34 participants from nine ASEAN Member States, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia (participating virtually), Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, as well as representatives from the SEAFDEC Secretariat, Department of Fisheries, Thailand, Nissui Corporation (participating virtually), Nissui (Thailand), and SEAFDEC/TD.
The three-day Workshop aimed to strengthen regional cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Member States in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It provided a platform for participants to share updates on national policies, actions, and key challenges in implementing IUU fishing countermeasures. The Workshop also provided an opportunity to review regional support mechanisms, management tools, and capacity-building programs implemented by SEAFDEC/TD to support national and regional efforts to combat IUU fishing.
A key focus of the Workshop was to review the nine regional priority areas previously identified for combating IUU fishing and explore opportunities to align national policies and actions with these priorities. Through country presentations, knowledge sharing, and group discussions, participants exchanged experiences, identified common challenges and priority needs, and discussed potential regional actions to strengthen cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Member States.
The Workshop is expected to contribute to the development of coordinated regional policy actions and practical roadmaps for combating IUU fishing in Southeast Asia. It also supports continued collaboration among ASEAN Member States in strengthening fisheries governance, enhancing the implementation of effective countermeasures, and promoting sustainable fisheries management in the region.
