The Training Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/TD) organized the “Capacity Building on Awareness of Innovation and Technology Tools to Combat IUU Fishing at the SAFET Conference” from 8 to 10 September 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines. The activity was conducted under the project “Strengthening Regional Fisheries Governance to Combat IUU Fishing in the Indo-Pacific Through Capacity Building Support to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center and ASEAN Member States,” with support from the Government of Canada.
A total of 12 participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand, together with SEAFDEC/TD staff, participated in the activity. The activity aimed to strengthen the capacity of fisheries authorities from ASEAN Member States in the application and understanding of innovative technologies and tools for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as to enhance regional cooperation and knowledge exchange on technology-driven approaches to fisheries Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS).
Through participation in the SAFET Conference, the participants gained insights into emerging innovations, technology tools, and best practices relevant to fisheries management and MCS. The conference also provided opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and experiences with experts, technology providers, and other stakeholders on the potential use of innovative solutions to strengthen efforts to combat IUU fishing.
In addition, SEAFDEC/TD conducted a back-to-back side event on 10 September 2026, focusing on knowledge sharing and the exchange of experiences and lessons learned from the SAFET Conference. During the side event, participants discussed innovative technologies and best practices of interest, their relevance to national MCS priorities, and the potential application and integration of these approaches within their respective countries. The discussion also provided an opportunity to identify possible follow-up actions for strengthening the use of innovative technologies in support of national and regional efforts to combat IUU fishing.
