Report of Workshop on Strengthening Regional Fisheries Governance and Technology Integration to Combat IUU Fishing in the Indo-Pacific
Abstract
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a critical threat to fisheries sustainability and food security across Southeast Asia. To address these challenges, the SEAFDEC Training Department, with support from the Government of Canada, organized a specialized workshop from 17 to 19 March in Bangkok. The event aligned with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, focusing on promoting regional dialogue and capacity development.
The workshop brought together 71 participants, including fisheries officials from ASEAN Member States and experts from international organizations such as DFO, NOAA, and FAO. A primary focus was the demonstration of advanced Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) technologies and innovative tools provided by strategic partners like Global Fishing Watch and MDA Space. By sharing implementation strategies and technical insights, the workshop aimed to strengthen institutional cooperation and regional governance. Ultimately, this initiative fostered a more collaborative and technologically integrated framework to effectively combat IUU fishing in the Indo-Pacific region.
Description
This workshop, organized by SEAFDEC and supported by the Government of Canada, focused on addressing the threats of IUU fishing to regional sustainability and food security. By bringing together ASEAN officials and international technical experts, the event promoted the integration of advanced Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) technologies. Discussions centered on fostering regional dialogue, enhancing capacity building, and sharing innovative tools for better fisheries management. The initiative directly supports Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy by strengthening institutional cooperation and technical collaboration. Ultimately, the workshop established a robust framework for unified action to combat IUU fishing across the Indo-Pacific region.
Citation
Training Department, Southeast Asian Development Center. (2026). Report of Workshop on Strengthening Regional Fisheries Governance and Technology Integration to Combat IUU Fishing in the Indo-Pacific.