Advancing Regional Cooperation: Highlights from the 17th RPOA-IUU Coordination Committee Meeting
The 17th Coordination Committee Meeting of the Regional Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (RPOA-IUU) was successfully held on 26–27 November 2024 in Makati, Philippines. Co-chaired by the RPOA-IUU Secretariat, the meeting brought together senior officials from 11 participating countries, regional experts, and international partners to strengthen collective efforts in combating IUU fishing and advancing sustainable fisheries management.
During the meeting, Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to responsible fishing and regional cooperation, while M. Eko Rudianto of the RPOA-IUU Secretariat reaffirmed the dedication to facilitating tailored initiatives to address regional challenges. Key outcomes included agreements to enhance data exchange for improved monitoring and enforcement, set priorities for 2024 focusing on promoting decent working conditions in the fishing sector and implementing a catch documentation scheme to ensure traceability, and strengthen partnerships with regional and international organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
The Secretariat extended its gratitude to the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for their exceptional hosting of the meeting and recognized the support from partners such as FAO, CSIRO, USAID, and SEAFDEC, among others. These collaborations were acknowledged as vital to the success of the RPOA-IUU’s initiatives.
The outcomes of this meeting reaffirmed the region’s commitment to sustainable fisheries and laid the groundwork for impactful initiatives in 2024. Moving forward, the RPOA-IUU Secretariat pledged continued support to participating countries and partners to combat IUU fishing, ensure food security, and safeguard the livelihoods of those dependent on fisheries.
