Fisheries traceability systems may track and document the movement of marine resources throughout the entire seafood supply chain. They can also be designed to promote fisheries sustainability, support the conservation of marine biodiversity, and track adherence to and/or violation of labor laws and regulations. To do this, traceability data (e.g., catch data) that are actively being collected in real time throughout the supply chain by electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT) systems can be shared, analyzed, and used by relevant managers for adaptive decision making and fisheries management.

This document shares USAID Oceans’ experiences and lessons learned in using eCDT to promote sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biodiversity in the Southeast Asian region. It illustrates the use of eCDT data to improve fisheries management with a focus on the small- and medium-scale fisheries sector; describes uses of eCDT system data for guiding or improving fisheries management and biodiversity conservation with EAFM plans; and demonstrates the implementation of eCDT systems through an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership. (2020). Using eCDT Systems within the EAFM Framework to Promote Sustainable Fisheries and Conserve Marine Biodiversity: Experiences and Lessons Learned in Indonesia and the Philippines.