Practical Workshop on
Strengthening Fisheries Observer Programs for
Effective Combating of IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia
"Workshop" Room
Somerset Ballroom
5th Floor
Contact Person
Technical Matters
Ms. Yanida Suthipol
yanida@seafdec.org
Contact Person
Administrative Matters
Mr. Natthawat Chutiponglapat
natthawat@seafdec.org
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing remains one of the most severe threats to global marine ecosystems, undermining sustainable fisheries management, jeopardizing food security, and destroying the livelihoods of millions in coastal communities. Within Southeast Asia-a region highly dependent on marine resources yet disproportionately affected by illicit fishing-the implementation of robust Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) frameworks is no longer just a regulatory ideal, but an economic and ecological necessity. Among the frontline tools of MCS, independent fisheries observers onboard fishing vessels serve as the eyes and ears of management authorities at sea. Observers provide vital, unvarnished data on catch composition, fishing effort, bycatch of protected species, and real-time compliance with conservation measures.
However, the landscape of maritime surveillance is shifting rapidly, placing unprecedented demands on observer programs such as 1) Expanding Mandates: Modern observers are transitioning from basic data collectors into critical pillars of seafood traceability, compliance verification, and regional data- sharing networks, 2) Operational & Safety Hurdles: Observer programs worldwide, and particularly across Southeast Asian waters, continue to battle low coverage rates, complex cross-border jurisdictions, data quality assurance issues, and acute risks to observer safety and welfare, and 3) The Digital Frontier: The rise of Electronic Monitoring (EM)-including onboard cameras, sensor logs, and AI-driven data analysis-presents a pivotal opportunity. Rather than replacing human observers, the future lies in building integrated, hybrid systems where technology augments human oversight.
Recognizing these evolving realities, the Practical Workshop on Surveillance to Combat IUU Fishing: Focus on Fisheries Observers Onboard offers a timely and collaborative platform for Southeast Asian fisheries officials, observer managers, and maritime enforcement agencies. By blending practical field methodologies with strategic management insights, this workshop will facilitate the exchange of localized best practices, address systemic safety challenges, and chart a path toward integrating emerging technologies. Ultimately, this initiative aims to harmonize regional observer standards, empowering ASEAN Member States to transform raw data collected at sea into decisive, legally robust action against IUU fishing.
Strengthening fisheries officers’ knowledge of the role and functions of onboard fisheries observers within national and regional MCS systems, and their contribution to combat IUU fishing
Build participants’ practical skills in species and fishing gear identification, and in collecting, verifying, and reporting legally defensible observer data
Familiarize participants with Electronic Monitoring (EM) technologies and hybrid human-EM approaches and examine their complementary role in strengthening observer coverage
Promote regional exchange of experience and lessons learned among ASEAN Member States to support the harmonization of observer standards and closer regional cooperation against IUU fishing.
Participants are equipped with improved knowledge and practical skills on observer-based surveillance and compliance monitoring for combating IUU fishing.
Shared understanding among participants of EM technologies and their potential integration into national observer programs.
Best practices identified for strengthening fisheries observer programs and their integration into national MCS systems.
Enhanced regional cooperation and networking among fisheries authorities and observer program personnel to support collective efforts against IUU fishing.
Timetable
18 - 20 August 2026
18 August 2026
Time |
Activities |
Resource Persons |
08:30-09:00 |
Registration |
|
09:00-09:30 |
Welcome and Opening Remarks |
|
09:30-09:45 |
Blue Fair Fish Project Introduction |
GIZ-regional team |
09:45–10:15 |
Plenary Discussion and Information Exchange on Implementation of Observer Onboard Activities in ASEAN Member Countries |
Facilitation by SEAFDEC/TD |
10:15-10:30 |
Refreshment and group photo |
|
10:30-12:00 |
Relevance of RFMOs and Observers Onboard in Combatting High Seas IUU Fishing |
SEAFDEC Secretary-General |
12:00-13:00 |
Lunch |
|
13:00–14:30 |
Identification of Commercially Important and Endangered Species in High Sea for Observer Onboard |
Dr. Supapong Pattarapongpan |
14:30 –15:00 |
Refreshment Break |
|
15:00 –16:30 |
Identification of Fishing Gears (purse seine, longline, etc.) and Operation |
Dr. Nopporn Manajit |
16:30 –17:00 |
Discussion and Wrap-up of key-take-away from day 1 |
|
19 August 2026
Time |
Activities |
Resource Persons |
09:00-09:05 |
Recap of day 1 |
|
09:05-10:30 |
Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) Electronic Monitoring Program for Observer Onboard |
Ms. Rebecca Darcy |
10:30-11:00 |
Refreshment Break |
|
11:00–12:30 |
Safety and Emergency Response |
Mr. Anurak Loog-on |
12:30 –13:30 |
Lunch |
|
13.30–14.30 |
Overviews, Implementation, and Lesson Learnt on Observer Onboard in SIOFA |
DOF Thailand |
14.30–16.30 |
Implementation and Best Practice on Observer Onboard |
BFAR |
16.30–17.00 |
Discussion and Wrap-up of key-take-away from day 2 |
|
20 August 2026
Time |
Activities |
Resource Persons |
09:00 –09:05 |
Recap of day 2 |
|
09:05 –12:00 |
Implementation and Best Practice on Observer Onboard (Cont’) |
BFAR |
12:00 –13:00 |
Lunch |
|
13:00 –15:30 |
Practical Exercise via Scenario |
BFAR |
15:30 –15:40 |
Refreshment Break |
|
15:40 –16:00 |
Country Commitment and Action Planning
Country groups define 1-2 concrete follow-up actions from the workshop |
|
16:00 –17:00 |
Workshop Evaluation, Wrap-up, and Closing
Summary of key takeaways and recommendations |
|
Downloads
Date and Venue
18 - 20 August 2026
at The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam
559 Ratchaprarop Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand