The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD), organized the Training Course on Responsible Fishing Technologies/Practices to Combat IUU Fishing in Southeast Asia from 19 to 27 November 2025 in Bangkok and Chon Buri Province, Thailand. This crucial nine-day initiative, implemented under the ASEAN-JICA Capacity Building Project on IUU Fishing Countermeasures in Southeast Asia, aimed to enhance the capacity of national fishery officers from all ASEAN Member States in deterring Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
This course offers an overview of international responses to IUU fishing, with an emphasis on SEAFDEC’s strategies. Key topics include global countermeasures, SEAFDEC initiatives like eACDS, PSM, and RFVR, as well as advances in Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) across SEAFDEC Member Countries. The curriculum also covers regional fishing gear, responsible practices through Japanese case studies, vessel inspection methods, environmental impacts, and FAO guidelines for marking fishing gear.
Participants applied their learning through fieldwork, observing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) management at the Department of Fisheries Monitoring Center. In Chon Buri province, participation included inspections and Port In-Port Out procedures at Samae San, along with practical vessel inspection exercises at sea using a DOF patrol vessel near Sattahip.
A total of 16 participants (2 women, 14 men), with 14 participants attended the course in physical and 2 participants attended online. Participants comprising national fishery officers responsible for IUU countermeasures and fisheries management from the ASEAN Member States. The course successfully equipped participants with the advanced knowledge and technological expertise necessary to ensure a responsible and sustainable fishing industry in Southeast Asia.
