The Regional Workshop on Information Exchange on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) for Combating IUU Fishing, held on 24–26 February 2026 and organized by SEAFDEC, served as an important platform for strengthening regional cooperation in addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The workshop brought together fisheries authorities and regional partners to exchange experiences and explore practical approaches to improving information-sharing for more effective monitoring and enforcement.
The RPOA-IUU Secretariat was invited as one of the speakers and delivered a presentation on “The Roles of RPOA-IUU in Promoting Collaborative MCS Measures in the Region.” The presentation highlighted the role of the RPOA-IUU framework in facilitating cooperation among participating countries, particularly through the MCS Sub-Regional Groups that support coordination, intelligence sharing, and joint responses to suspected fisheries violations.
Discussions also highlighted ongoing initiatives to strengthen regional MCS cooperation, including the development of a data-sharing mechanism, the maintenance of the RPOA-IUU Vessel Watch List, and the updating of the MCS Key Instruments List. These initiatives aim to enhance fisheries intelligence and improve coordination among enforcement agencies in responding to IUU fishing activities.
The workshop also showcased practical examples of information exchange facilitated through the RPOA-IUU Secretariat, demonstrating how effective communication among countries can support enforcement actions and constructive dialogue in resolving fisheries-related cases.
Overall, the workshop reaffirmed the importance of strengthening regional collaboration and information-sharing networks as key elements in enhancing monitoring, control, and surveillance efforts and advancing the collective fight against IUU fishing in the region.
