Highlighting SDG 14 in the development and management of Southeast Asian marine capture fisheries

Abstract

Guided by the series of ASEAN-SEAFDEC Resolutions and Plans of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) has been continuously promoting sustainable management of marine capture fisheries in the Southeast Asian region through a number of projects implemented by SEAFDEC Training Department (TD) and SEAFDEC Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department (MFRDMD). Specifically, the 2001 Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region included provisions under A (Fisheries Management), on the need to: A(3) – take measures to prevent unauthorized fishing and eliminate the use of illegal and destructive fishing gears and practices by building awareness of their adverse impacts, the development and promotion of responsible and selective fishing gears and practices, enforcing regulations and encouraging alternative means of livelihood; and A(5) – review the issue of excess fishing capacity at the national level and recommend where appropriate, measures to improve registration of fishing vessels, the introduction of rights-based fisheries and the reduction in the number of fishing boats and level of fishing effort using government incentives. In the subsequent 2011 Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN region Towards 2020, some provisions were focused on the need to: B(21) – strengthen regional and national policy and legislation to implement measures and activities to combat IUU fishing, including the development and implementation of national plans of action to combat IUU fishing, and promote the awareness and understanding of international and regional instruments and agreements through information dissemination campaigns; B(22) - establish and strengthen regional and sub-regional coordination on fisheries management and efforts to combat IUU fishing including the development of regional/sub-regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) networks; and B(29) - recognizing the different management approaches that are required, sustainably manage major critical coastal habitats, such as mangroves, coral reefs and sea grasses; and develop and disseminate information and guidance on appropriate tools and interventions. In a later development, concerns related to the sustainable development of fisheries in the ASEAN region were raised to higher level resulting in the development and adoption of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Joint Declaration on Regional Cooperation for Combating IUU Fishing and Enhancing the Competitiveness of ASEAN Fish and Fishery Products in August 2016. The various relevant provisions serve as framework for the development of programs and activities undertaken by SEAFDEC to promote the sustainable development of fisheries in the Southeast Asian region.