The Regional Plan of Action of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) sets forth five long-term goals for regional action taken by the six Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Member Countries. One of these goals is the application of ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM). This goal is supported by priority regional actions identified and coordinated by the CTI-CFF EAFM Technical Working Group (TWG). One of these priority regional actions is “Improve enforcement of IUU fishing through greater collaboration.”

USAID Oceans and Conservation International Philippines formalized a partnership in 2019 to facilitate the implementation of a sub-regional EAFM plan for the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, inclusive of priority actions are to combat IUU fishing, promote sustainable fisheries, and conserve marine biodiversity. In coordination with the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat and participation from CTI member country representatives from both the EAFM and Seascapes TWGs, during March 2020 Conservation International led a workshop to formally initiate the implementation of the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Sub-Regional EAFM Plan, and establish a sub-regional governance mechanism between relevant government agencies of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines to oversee direct the sub-regional plan’s implementation. The 2-day workshop was attended by 31 participants, 11 of which joined remotely (online). This report presents a summary of the workshop’s agenda, sessions, outputs, and presentations from the event, and serves as documentation of the sub-regional EAFM plan’s implementation as endorsed and supported by the CTI-CFF Member Countries, Regional Secretariat, and implementing partners.

Conservation International Philippines. (2020). Implementation Workshop for the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Plan.