Affirming the Role of SEAFDEC in Facilitating Regional Engagement to Address International Fisheries and Fish Trade Issues

Abstract

Over the years, several international legally and nonlegally binding fisheries and fish trade agreements have been established by several organizations and conventions, including the United Nations (UN), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of World Fauna and Flora (CITES), World Trade Organization (WTO), and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), among others. These international agreements aim to enhance international cooperation for the sustainable management of the aquatic environment and fisheries.

At the regional level, the Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region Towards 2030 (RES&POA-2030) (SEAFDEC, 2020) serve as policy framework for priority actions for the ASEAN Member States (AMSs) to support fisheries development towards sustainability and enhance the contribution of fisheries to food security and livelihood of peoples in the Southeast Asian region. Concerning the international trade in fish and fishery products, the RES&POA-2030 stipulate RES No. 19 “Promote joint ASEAN approaches and positions international trade in fish and fishery products produced in the region, by harmonizing the standards, criteria, and guidelines, and developing mutually recognized agreements on sustainability and food safety management systems” as well as the POA No. 82 “Strengthen cooperation and mechanisms among AMSs to work towards common positions that could be reflected in international fish trade related fora, e.g. World Trade Organization (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade, Office International des Epizooties (OIE), Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).” This article highlights the role of SEAFDEC in supporting the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Member Countries in addressing international fisheries and fish trade issues, particularly in compliance with CITES and WTO.