Promotion of Sustainable in Southeast Asian Region: Combating IUU Fishing in the Southeast Asian Region through Application of Catch Certification for International Trade in Fisht and Fishery Products.
En. Abdul Razak b. Latun
Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asian Region through application of Catch Certification for internationasl trade in fish and fishery products
Introduction
The JTF VI project on “Combating IUU Fishing in Southeast Asian Region through application of Catch Certification for internationasl trade in fish and fishery products”
IUU fishing was identified as the biggest threat to the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region (29th Session of APFIC). To combat IUU, countries are asked to take actions among others to adopt on sub-regional cooperation in deterring IUU fishing in the region. In response to this, the issue on management of fishing capacity and combating IUU fishing has been seriously addressed by ASEAN, SEAFDEC and the RPOA initiative to combat IUU fishing, as well as in the “Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region Towards 2020” adopted by the Ministers and Senior Officials during the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference in 2011.
In addition to the afore-mentioned regional initiatives, there have been emerging trade-related measures and requirements aiming to combat IUU Fishing and enhance responsible fishing practices, among which is the European Council (EC) Regulation No. 1005/2008. Most countries in the Southeast Asian region which are directly affected by the EC Regulation have developed their respective regulations based on the FAO Legally-binding Instrument on Port State Measures (PSM). Therefore it is also important for the countries in the region to support the efforts to use trade measures to combat IUU fishing within the region. In line with EU initiatives, this project will seek possible way to combat IUU fishing in the large- and small-scale fisheries by seeking a new catch certification system for international trade in fish and fishery products within the Southeast Asian region.
1.1 Objectives
1. To provide suggestions for Member Countries to strengthen cooperation in combating IUU fishing.
2. To study existing fishing and trading practices in small-scale fishery in the region.
3. To analyze associated problems in compliance with the EC Regulation No. 1005/2008 in the region.
4. To suggest a possible catch certification system for large- and small-scale fisheries to ensure only non-IUU/legal fish and fishery products traded in the region.
1.2 Project Description
MFRDMD is the responsible SEAFDEC Department for this project to manage and coordinate all project activities. All SEAFDEC Member Countries are involved in the activities.
The project involves identification of existing mechanisms in small-scale fishery and associated problems in compliance with the EC Regulation No.1005/2008 for large-scale fishery in the region through core expert meetings. The information gathered will be analyzed and comparison among countries will provide a possible catch certification system for combating IUU fishing in the Southeast Asian region with possible expansion and/or modification of the regulation for international trade in fish and fishery products within the region.
The outputs of the project will provide basis for developing a catch certification system to ensure only non-IUU/legal fish and fishery products traded in the region. The cooperation amongst the Member Countries will be strengthened so as to facilitate trade within the region and eventually combating IUU fishing in the large- and small-scale fisheries.
This project corresponds to #8 of the Resolution at the ASEAN-SEAFDEC conference in 2011: Foster cooperation among ASEAN Member Countries and with international and regional organizations in combating IUU fishing. This project also corresponds to #67 of the Plan of Action at the conference: Strengthen cooperation among Member Countries to implement international standards with regards to trading on fish and fishery products within the ASEAN region.
The activities in 2013 are as follows:-
1. Organising a meeting with Malaysian officials from 11 to 13 June 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for preparation of the “Core Expert Meeting On Combating IUU Fishing In Southeast Asian Region Through Application Of Catch Certification For International Trade In Fish And Fishery Products” in October 2013.
2. Information gathering on the a) existing fishing and trading practices in small and large scale fisheries of SEAFDEC member countries b) impact of implementation of EC Regulation 1005/2008
3. Organising a Regional Core Expert Meeting On Combating IUU Fishing In Southeast Asian Region Through Application Of Catch Certification For International Trade In Fish And Fishery Products in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 8 to 10 October 2013. The main objectives of the meeting are as follows:-
a. To discuss existing fishing and trading practices in small scale fisheries in Malaysia.
b. To discuss impact of implementation of EC Regulation 1005/2008
c. To discuss a draft format of the regional catch certificate.
Expected Outputs For 2013
a. Identified existing fishing and trading practices in small scale fisheries in Malaysia
b. Impact of implementation of EC Regulation 1005/2008
c. Draft minimum information require for formulation of the ASEAN catch certificate