The Regional Plan of Action to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (RPOA-IUU), in collaboration with the Australian Government, hosted the on 7 November 2024 via Zoom. This meeting brought together key partners, such as international organizations like CCAMLR, NOAA, SEAFDEC, and ILO, as well as regional partners, including the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI) and the USAID SuFiA TS. Representatives from six participating countries shared success stories, which helped strengthen cooperation across the region. Discussions centered around enhancing regional capacity-building activities, promoting collaboration, and sharing best practices for combating IUU fishing. Mr. Eko Rudianto of the RPOA-IUU Secretariat and Mr. Duane Bridger from the Australian Government emphasized the importance of synergy among stakeholders for impactful collaboration.
Mr. Eko Rudianto outlined several proposals and action plans for combating IUU fishing. These include continuing to work with partners to implement activities as outlined in the RPOA-IUU Work Plan, identifying new opportunities for collaboration with invited partners to align better with RPOA-IUU objectives, and encouraging countries to continue engaging with international partners to support national interests. RPOA-IUU will also explore potential collaborations based on insights from invited speakers, preparing a comprehensive report to support these efforts. Member countries were invited to submit proposals for regional activities, and strengthened coordination with other regional initiatives will be prioritized. Proposed activities will be discussed at the upcoming Coordinating Committee Meeting (CCM) and may be incorporated into the annual work plan.
Looking ahead to 2025, several recommendations were proposed, contingent on approval from member countries. These include collaborating with IMCSN to conduct a regional workshop on the FAO Compliance Agreement 1993, developing case studies on CDS/CDT with CCAMLR, NOAA, and SEAFDEC, and promoting decent working conditions in the fishing industry, possibly with support from ILO. Additionally, RPOA-IUU plans to introduce digital initiatives in collaboration with GSMA, prepare regional activity proposals for USAID RDMA, and facilitate knowledge exchange with NOAA on PSMA, Seafood Import Systems, Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), and MCS systems.
The meeting also featured inspiring success stories from participating countries:
- Indonesia highlighted its successful vessel apprehensions and collaborations with regional organizations like WCPFC and IORA. Key actions included drafting NPOAs on IUU and destructive fishing, building fisheries inspector capacity, and advancing digital forensics. USAID Ber-Ikan supports EAFM implementation and community-based surveillance in FMAs 711 and 715.
- Papua New Guinea emphasized regional partnerships with WCPFC, PNA, and FFA in monitoring and controlling IUU activities. Case studies on foreign vessel violations underscored joint enforcement efforts and enhanced MCS operations. Regional cooperation and data sharing are critical recommendations under RPOA-IUU.
- Timor-Leste presented its National Plan of Action on IUU fishing, which focuses on illegal fishing gear bans and strengthening enforcement through inter-agency collaboration. It identified challenges such as limited resources and legal frameworks and advocated for regional data sharing and improved coordination mechanisms.
- Thailand shared its successes in PSMA enforcement, the AN-IUU Interactive Platform, and fisheries officer training. Key cases, like vessel denials, highlighted regulatory commitment. Ongoing initiatives include a new action plan and MCS capacity-building supported by Australia.
- Vietnam collaborates internationally, notably with the U.S. and SEAFDEC, to enhance law enforcement and pilot electronic catch certifications. It stresses capacity building, risk-based management, and robust data sharing as priorities for RPOA-IUU efforts.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored the importance of continued collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building efforts to address IUU fishing in the region. As we move forward, RPOA-IUU remains committed to fostering regional cooperation and advancing sustainable fisheries management.
