On 12 March 2026, at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Secretariat, Mr. Adirake Markphol from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) met with representatives from SEAFDEC/TD, led by Mr. Isara Chanrachakig and Ms. Suwanee Sayan from the Project Planning and Management Division, to discuss the implementation of the BOBLME II Project and strengthen alignment between the components implemented by SEAFDEC and IUCN. A total of three (3) participants (1 female and 2 males) attended the discussion. Under the BOBLME II Project, five (5) components are implemented by the executing agencies. SEAFDEC is responsible for Components 1, 3, and 5, which focus on promoting the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and reducing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, improving port management and the marking of fishing gear, as well as supporting project monitoring and coordination. Meanwhile, IUCN is responsible for Components 2, 4, and 5, which...

Event Overview On March 12, 2026, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) hosted the "National Meeting for Verifying the Results of the Pilot Testing of Fishing Gear Marking" at Maejo University's Lamae Campus in Chumphon Province, Thailand. This event was made possible through support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and represented a collaborative effort between SEAFDEC’s Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) and the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Thailand. Bringing Research to the Real World The primary goal of the meeting was to validate the outcomes of pilot tests conducted in Chumphon Province from mid-January to late February 2026. SEAFDEC Secretary-General Sampan Panjarat emphasized in her opening remarks that the initiative aims to move beyond theoretical discussions by evaluating how different marking systems function under real marine conditions. Pilot Phase and Materials Tested During the pilot phase, technical teams focused on assessing three specific marking materials: • Bird rings • Plastic tags • Metal tags The Four Pillars of...

Mr. Kongpathai Saraphaivanich, the Training and Research Supporting Division Head of the SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD), participated in the IMCS Network General Membership Meeting held virtually on 13 January 2026. The meeting provided a vital platform for members to reconnect, exchange innovative ideas, and collaborate on the Network’s future strategic direction. Key highlights included progress updates on major work streams and discussions on strengthening governance to ensure the Network’s continued growth and operational effectiveness. SEAFDEC officially joined the International Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (IMCS) Network in early 2023, a milestone formally recognized during the 55th Meeting of the SEAFDEC Council in May 2023. This partnership significantly bolsters SEAFDEC’s capacity to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by enhancing global information sharing, providing access to specialized technical training, and fostering deeper regional cooperation in fisheries enforcement. Photo Activities

The SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), successfully organized the “On-site Training on the Implementation of National Fish Traceability and Logistic System (STELINA) in Indonesia” from 11 to 13 November 2025 in Surabaya, Indonesia. There were a total of 61 participants from 21 MMAF staff, 2 provincial fisheries officers of East Java, and 38 fisheries businesses of East Java who engage in the conduct of traceability of fish and fishery products attending this training. The main objective of this on-site training was to impart knowledge to MMAF staff and relevant stakeholders regarding the implementation of the national fish traceability and logistics system (STELINA). This effort is critical for combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the region. This on-site training is an activity under the ASEAN-JICA Capacity Building Project on IUU Fishing Countermeasures in Southeast Asia. Photo Activities

The SEAFDEC Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD) successfully conducted a three-day training course on Enhancing Capacity for Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) of Domestic and International Fishing Vessels to Combat IUU Fishing from 19 to 21 August 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The training aimed to build knowledge on implementing MCS activities for both domestic and foreign fishing vessels, highlighting valuable lessons learned and the use of innovative technologies to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Thirteen participants (10 male and 3 female) from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand who are responsible for MCS activities attended the training. Throughout the program, participants attended presentations from SEAFDEC/TD resource persons and experts from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF). They also visited a local fishing port and other relevant facilities to study real case studies, which increased their knowledge and practical experience in MCS operations. Training is an activity of the BOBLME...