The Training Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/TD), in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia, organized the “Regional Training Course on Enhancing Capacity for Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) of Domestic and International Fishing Vessels to Combat IUU Fishing” from 6 to 8 October 2026 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The Training was attended by 13 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, with resource persons from DOF Malaysia sharing their knowledge and experiences throughout the Training.
The three-day Training aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge and provide opportunities to share and exchange information and experiences on the implementation of MCS measures in Southeast Asia. Key topics included legal and institutional frameworks for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, MCS implementation for domestic and foreign fishing vessels, the application of innovative technologies to support MCS activities, and lessons learned from Malaysia’s experience in MCS implementation.
As part of the Training, participants visited the Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and a fishing port complex. The visits provided participants with practical insights into MCS operations, inter-agency coordination, vessel monitoring, and relevant control measures applied to support efforts to prevent and combat IUU fishing.
The Training also provided a platform for strengthening regional cooperation, information sharing, and collaboration among fisheries authorities and relevant agencies involved in MCS. The knowledge and experience gained from the Training are expected to support participants in strengthening MCS implementation in their respective countries and contribute to coordinated regional efforts to combat IUU fishing.
The Training was conducted as one of the activities under the project “Sustainable Management of Fisheries, Marine Living Resources and Their Habitats in the Bay of Bengal Region for the Benefit of Coastal States and Communities (BOBLME II),” contributing to the enhancement of regional capacities and cooperation for sustainable fisheries management and effective MCS implementation in the Bay of Bengal region.
