- RPOA IUU Secretariat
- Support (62) 21 351 9070 ext. 2647
On August 21, 2024, the RPOA-IUU Secretariat initiated a discussion with the IMCS Network. The meeting was attended by the representatives from the RPOA-IUU secretariat and International Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Network (IMCSN). The initial discussion aimed to explore potential funding from IMCSN to support a workshop focused on the FAO Compliance Agreement 1993
Regional Plan of Action for Responsible Fisheries including Combatting IUU Fishing (RPOA-IUU) is a voluntary regional initiative which agreed on 4 May 2007, Bali-Indonesia, by 11 Ministers related to fisheries namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Viet Nam. Each participating Countries have role on the implementation, as the commitment on responsible fishing practices including combating IUU Fishing. This regional cooperation is implemented through the implementation of 10 core elements, which essentially depend on sharing data and information between RPOA-IUU participating countries and/or with international and regional institutions.
In the 2024 RPOA-IUU Workplan point 3.1, stated that RPOA-IUU Secretariat has to coordinate with the FAO for the possibility of presenting a report at the COFI session in 2024. COFI is a body under the FAO Council that meets once every two years and is responsible for discussing various issues, developments, and challenges related to the global fisheries and aquaculture sector. COFI 36 was held in person at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, from July 8-12, 2024. During the session, there was a dedicated agenda item, Agenda 8, focusing on IUU Fishing. This agenda was intended to discuss FAO's priorities in combating IUU Fishing.
The RPOA-IUU Secretariat was invited to the 4th Regional Workshop of the ASEAN Network IUU meeting, held on July 17-18, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand. The ASEAN Network IUU workshop is a strategic avenue aiming to promote the partnership and strengthen regional capacities and capabilities in combating IUU fishing. The meeting was attended by representatives from ASEAN countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as an official observer to ASEAN, Timor-Leste.
The RPOA-IUU Secretariat was invited to the 16th ASEAN Fisheries Consultative Forum (AFCF) meeting held on July 2, 2024, in Penang, Malaysia. During the meeting, the RPOA-IUU Secretariat extensively discussed their multifaceted approach to combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, detailing the substantial progress on a regional data-sharing mechanism designed to enhance coordination and information exchange among member countries. RPOA-IUU member countries present at the AFCF meeting expressed positive responses to the presentation given by the RPOA-IUU secretariat.
On July 2, 2024, the RPOA-IUU Secretariat had the honor of participating in the 16th ASEAN Fisheries Consultative Forum (AFCF) in Penang, Malaysia. This gathering brought together member countries to discuss and share updates on key issues critical to the sustainability of regional fisheries. Topics included 1). Fishing Capacity and Zoning System, 2). Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, 3). Resource Rehabilitation and Enhancement, 4). Impacts of Climate Change on Fisheries and Aquaculture, 5).Combating IUU Fishing, 6) Traceability of Fisheries and Aquaculture Products, dan 8). US Marine Mammals Protection Act.
On July 1, 2024, the second Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the development of the RPOA-IUU Data Sharing Mechanism (DSM) was held virtually. The discussion went exceptionally well, with nearly all participating companies expressing their agreement on moving forward with the DSM development. The session commenced with a presentation by Mr. Eko, who reiterated the commitments made during the Data Sharing Mechanism meeting on October 25, 2023, in Dili, Timor Leste. He referenced the decision made by the Coordination Committee Meeting (CCM) during the 11th RPOA-IUU Coordination Committee (CC) Meeting on November 13-14, 2019, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, which encouraged RPOA-IUU countries to establish a working group for a Joint Statement and a working group on the DSM to bolster RPOA-IUU's capacity.
We are thrilled to announce the release of Newsletter edition 2 (April - June) from the RPOA-IUU Secretariat, highlighting significant developments in our ongoing efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
On May 20, 2024, the RPOA-IUU Secretariat held a pivotal meeting with the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) to explore potential collaboration under the USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle program. The meeting was opened by Mr. M. Eko Rudianto, Vice Executive Director of the RPOA-IUU Secretariat, and attended by key representatives including Chris Rotinsulu, Hanung Rotinsulu, Reita Kalalo, Frank Griffin, Anjum Islam, and Dave Senewe from the CTI-CFF team. Also in attendance were Andri Purba, Program Officer of the RPOA-IUU Secretariat, and other staff members. This important gathering took place at the Satgas Meeting Room on the 14th floor of GMB IV MMAF.
Under the activity series of the Fisheries Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) Training Course in Southeast Asia held in Viet Nam on April 2024, the RPOA-IUU secretariat had an opportunity to cover presentation about “Regional Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) challenges” delivered by Matheus Eko Rudianto, representing the RPOA-IUU Secretariat Coordinator.
Today is marking the World Ocean Day! This annual event is a time to celebrate the vital role our oceans play in sustaining life on Earth. It's also a moment to reflect on the urgent need to protect and preserve these vast and invaluable ecosystems. Oceans cover more than 70% of our planet's surface and are home to an incredible diversity of life, from the smallest plankton to the largest whales. They regulate our climate, provide food for billions of people, and are essential for global trade and transportation.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) undermines marine conservation efforts and can cause an imbalance in environmental, economic, and social sectors. Recently, almost all countries around the world are aware of the harmful impacts of this irresponsible fishing practice and urge them to take appropriate action to address this emerging issue. The extensive efforts that have been made by each country are setting out national legislation, engaging with international partners, and implementing international instruments related to fisheries management and IUU eradication.
The Regional Plan of Action to promote responsible fishing practices including combating IUU fishing (RPOA-IUU) secretariat received an invitation from the Australian Government to attend the Women in Fisheries Workshop, in collaboration with SEAFDEC, which was held from 14 to 16 May 2024 face-to-face in Bangkok, Thailand.
From 22 to 24 April 2024, the RPOA-IUU secretariat was invited to the opening ceremony of Fisheries MCS Training 2024 and delivered presentation about ‘Regional Illegal, Unreported, and Unreported Fishing (IUUF) challenges in Nha Trang, Viet Nam. Fisheries MCS Training Course is specifically designed for gaining technical and theoretical fisheries officer’s capacity in advancing MCS measures for addressing IUU fishing eradication challenges in Southeast Asia and one of Australia’s Combatting IUU fishing program implementation.
The Regional Plan of Action to promote responsible fishing practices including combating IUU Fishing (RPOA-IUU) developing a newsletter to effectively communicate messages to the public regarding RPOA-IUU's efforts in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the region. This forthcoming newsletter represents the inaugural volume and will encompass information about the newsletter itself and RPOA-IUU in its entirety. It is anticipated that this newsletter will reach the entire public, facilitating the dissemination of the RPOA-IUU message aimed at addressing the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing within the region
IUU fishing can take place in all capture fisheries. Efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks are undermined by IUU fishing, which can lead to the collapse of fisheries or can seriously impair efforts to rebuild fish stocks that have already been depleted. This may result in the loss of both short- and long-term social and economic opportunities and could have negative impacts on food security. The international organization emphasizes and implements activities relevant to combat IUU fishing such as the FAO Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Support Vessels; Global Information Exchange System (GIES) by FAO; ASEAN Roadmap on Combating IUU Fishing (2021–2025) which aims to enhance and strengthen collaborative efforts to combat IUU fishing in the region thereby improving fisheries management, sustaining fish resources, and optimizing the benefit of adopting responsible fishing practices.
During the 11th RPOA-IUU Coordination Committee (CC) Meeting, which took place on November 13-14, 2019, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, RPOA-IUU Countries were urged to establish a working group dedicated to crafting a Joint Statement and another working group focused on creating a Data Sharing Mechanism. This initiative was aimed at enhancing the capacity of RPOA-IUU.
The 16th Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating IUU fishing in the Region (RPOA-IUU) Coordination Committee Meeting (CCM) was held in Dili, Timor-Leste, for two days from 26 to 27 October 2023 in hybrid mode.
The Advanced Fisheries Intelligence Training held from February 20th to 23rd, 2024, at the Pullman Hotel Bali, marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
The RPOA-IUU Secretariat was honored to receive an invitation to contribute as a speakers in "A Workshop for Fisheries Enforcement Strategies to Prevent, Combat, and Deter IUU Fishing Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic." which was held in Serpong from 15 to 16 November 2023
RPOA-IUU secretariat attended the South China Seas Regional Exchange (SCS Rex) which was held in Manila, the Philippines, from 16 to 19 January 2024 in person. The primary objective was to promote sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific region.
The 15th Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating IUU Fishing in the Region (RPOA-IUU) Coordination Committee Meeting was held in Fremantle, Australia
The 14th Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices, including Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in the Region (RPOA-IUU) Coordination Committee Meeting (CCM) was held from 13-15 December 2021
RPOA-IUU in collaboration with The Government of The Republic of Indonesia and Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation (NAM-CSSTC) convened The International Workshop on IUU Fishing for RPOA-IUU Participating Countries and Pacific Countries (Solomon Islands and Palau) in virtual session
The 13th Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating IUU Fishing in the Region (RPOA-IUU) Coordination Committee Meeting was conducted virtually
The 12th Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating IUU Fishing in the Region (RPOA-IUU) Coordination Committee Meeting was conducted in Siem Reap-Cambodia, 26-28 November 2019
As one of the RPOA concern area, Sub Regional Southern and Eastern Area of the South China Sea and Sulu-Sulawesi Seas had a meeting for the first time in Kuching, Serawak, Malaysia on 26-28 August 2008
The 1st Sub-Regional Arafura and Timor Seas Group meeting was convened in Darwin, Australia on 28-29 April 2009 in follow up to the RPOA Workshop on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) held in Bali, Indonesia
The 3rd Meeting of Sub Regional Gulf of Thailand were Held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, 20 – 22 September 2011
