Recounting the Major Accomplishments of JTF 6-2 Projects for the Sustainability of Fisheries Development in Southeast Asia

Abstract

SEAFDEC has been promoting sustainable fisheries to contribute to food security, poverty alleviation and livelihood of people in the Southeast Asian region since its establishment in 1967. As one of the SEAFDEC Member Countries, the Government of Japan has supported SEAFDEC to implement its endeavors. Through the Japanese Trust Fund (JTF), the Fisheries Agency of Japan started to support SEAFDEC in 1998 to implement projects in the Southeast Asian region. Since then, JTF has constantly contributed to the fundamental research needs and capacity building of the ASEAN Member States (AMSs) to promote sustainable fisheries in the region not only in terms of budgetary support for projects but also human resources to manage the projects. From 2020 to 2024, which included the severe years of the COVID-19 pandemic, SEAFDEC implemented 12 projects under the second phase of the sixth cycle of JTF (JTF 6-2).

This article elucidates the status of fisheries and aquaculture in Southeast Asia including fishery and aquaculture production and issues and challenges. Moreover, this article highlights the significant achievements of the JTF 6-2 projects which were intended to support the AMSs in addressing the prevalent issues and challenges in fisheries and aquaculture in the region.