DIRECTORATE OF FISHERIES

Attending the Forum were representatives of ASEAN Secretariat, representatives of ASEAN member countries and regional fisheries organizations such as SEAFDEC, NACA, etc. The results of the discussion will be gathered and reported at the next Senior Officer Meeting of ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry (SOM - AMAF).

The AFCF aims to become a forum for ASEAN member states to effectively use their fisheries resources through effective fisheries management measures, including key objectives such as Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, Promoting sustainable fisheries practices, Fisheries Co-management and decentralization, Adaptation to the impacts of climate change and Ensuring food safety and hygiene. In addition, AFCF also helps ASEAN member states to exchange and gather information, to develop joint approaches and responses to issues related to international fish trade as well as training capacity building for ASEAN member countries.

Following the issues discussed from the previous Forums, the 11th AFCF will continue to exchange issues to develop sustainable regional fisheries such as strengthening the Management of Fishing Capacity and the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Fishing Capacity (RPOA - Fishing Capacity), Regional cooperation towards sustainable small-scale fisheries development, Resource Rehabilitation and Enhancement (Fisheries Refugia), Impacts of Climate change on Fisheries and Aquaculture, Combating IUU fishing (RPOA – IUU and Cooperation in Combating IUU fishing in the region), Traceability of Fisheries and Aquaculture products, etc. In particular, the ASEAN member countries participating in the Forum will take this opportunity to update country's works and efforts that have been carried out and achieved for each objective, at the same time making necessary suggestions to continue implementing related activities. These suggestions will be submitted to SOM - AMAF for review and approval in the future.

Huong Tra