Sustainable fish production and consumption in Southeast Asia is critical to the livelihoods and food supply of people in the region. Overfishing threatens marine biodiversity and the sustainability of global fish stocks and is exacerbated by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The Australian Government’s Combating IUU Fishing and Promoting Sustainable Fisheries in Southeast Asia Program (2022 to 2026) aims to support Southeast Asian countries to combat IUU fishing by improving:
- monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) capabilities
- regional cooperation in combating IUU fishing
- gender inclusivity in fisheries management.
The Program has four key components:
- Certified MCS Training Course (ASEAN/RPOA-IUU participating countries)
- Fisheries Officer Exchange Program (ASEAN/RPOA-IUU participating countries)
- Targeted Capacity Building Support (ASEAN plus Timor Leste)
- Southeast Asia Regional Innovation Fund for Fishing (SEA-RIFF) (ASEAN/RPOA-IUU participating countries).
Expressions of interest for all components should be submitted by the agreed country focal point through the Program website or via SEA_IUUFishingProgram@aff.gov.au.
Certified MCS Training Course
The training course will provide participants with a holistic understanding of the theoretical and practical elements of fisheries related MCS required to effectively address IUU fishing in Southeast Asia.
Participants will learn about MCS best-practice approaches tailored to the regional context including legal and regulatory frameworks, identification and application of MCS tools, technologies and processes, fisheries management, and regional cooperation to combat IUU fishing. The joint learning environment will also facilitate MCS knowledge sharing.
The training course curriculum was co-designed by Australian technical partners and Vietnam’s Nha Trang University. The course is co-delivered by these partners in person at Nha Trang University.
Find out more about the course and how to apply.
Fisheries Officer Exchange Program
The Fisheries Officer Exchange Program funds intra-regional officer exchanges to help foster greater regional collaboration to combat IUU fishing.
Find out more about the exchange program and how to apply.
Targeted Capacity Building Support
Targeted Capacity Building Support is demand-driven and designed to directly strengthen MCS capacity to combat IUU fishing. Support activities are developed collaboratively with countries and delivered by Australian technical experts.
Find out how to access capacity building support.
Southeast Asia Regional Innovation Fund for Fishing (SEA-RIFF)
The Southeast Asia Regional Innovation Fund for Fishing (SEA-RIFF) funds innovative ideas that are not covered under other Program components, provided they align with the overall Program goal and outcomes.
Find out more about funding and how to apply.