Report of the Third Gulf of Thailand Sub-Region Meeting, Siem Reap, Cambodia, September 20-22, 2011, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. Report of the Third Meeting of the Gulf of Thailand Sub-Region, 20-22 September 2011, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Introduction
Opening of the Meeting
June 2011 and thereafter the adoption of the "Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries for the ASEAN Region Post 2020" and "Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for the ASEAN Region Post 2020" which serve as a policy framework and guideposts for the region s fisheries development in relation to sustainability and food security. While noting the importance of implementation activities by SEAFDEC and Member States to reduce IUU fishing and to integrate fisheries management with habitat management through an ecosystem approach to fisheries and to restore and maintain important habitats in the Gulf of Thailand, - Regional and regional cooperation will be needed to further improve fisheries management in the Gulf of Thailand sub-region.
Background of the Meeting and Adoption of Agenda
Review on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Gulf of Thailand
Additionally, the IUU RPOA was reiterated to be the basis/tool in combating IUU fishing in this subregion, emphasizing the importance of flag state and coastal state responsibilities. In addition, the Meeting suggested that necessary in the development of legal systems in the region of the Gulf of Thailand.
Follow up on the Recommendation at the Expert Consultation on Managing Fishing
Information on selected global and international instruments and its relevance to
Fisheries and Habitat Management/Refugia and trans-boundary stocks and Habitat
The Assembly recognized the need to specify species of concern for the establishment of fisheries sanctuaries in the sub-region and their seasonal migration (feeding and breeding season), life cycle and other biological parameters should be carefully studied and considered as the basis of management options applied (area and season closure, gear restrictions, etc.). It was again emphasized that measures to be implemented must be in accordance with the existing national legal framework of the member states and agreements between MKs could possibly be sought/identified to support a common measure.
Strengthening Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) in the Gulf of Thailand
The meeting also discussed the applicability of measures put in place for small-scale fishing (ie. In addition, the Meeting was informed about the newest tool initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to combat IUU fishing activities , known as the Global Record (GR).
Way Forward for Sub-regional, sub-sub-regional and bilateral cooperation on the
Efforts to investigate the advantages and disadvantages (weaknesses and strengths) of tools that can be used for stock assessment and other relevant studies. The meeting proposed to collaborate and flesh out the communication mechanism between agencies responsible for fisheries and other agencies (NGOs and stakeholders) on the requirements for management of fishing capacity.
Conclusion and Recommendation and follow-up actions
Furthermore, a place can be provided for researchers, policy makers, NGOs and other stakeholders to better facilitate common understanding, prioritization of activities (avoiding duplication of efforts) and influence of political will. Likewise, legal frameworks should be defined and discussed between the CMs, especially for points of similarity regarding licensing and other aspects of fishing.
Closing of the Meeting
It was also emphasized in the meeting that for the initiation of activities for the MCS network in the sub-region, a time frame should be set for each activity to be carried out. Further studies (by SEAFDEC) may be required to investigate the relativity of stocks (species specific) in the sub-region.
Studies on status and causes of IUU fishing in the sub-region are also suggested to really address the root cause of the problem. The Assembly took note of the political support of the member state needed to ensure effective fisheries management and the fight against IUU fishing.
Research on the migration and spawning patterns of other important species in the Gulf of Thailand is also required. Migration and spawning patterns of important species in the Gulf of Thailand were discussed and shown.
Assessing the truth of climate change – Local knowledge and action – Local perception – Future of local adaptation.
Fishing vessel registration and fishing authorization should be clearly defined, especially for fishermen and relevant stakeholders. SEAFDEC should update the fishing vessel registration and fishing authorization flow chart and institutional responsibilities to cover all ASEAN Member States. States were asked to submit their existing fishing vessel registration and licensing forms to SEAFDEC and RPOA SEC for consolidation and further discussion.
Countries were requested to share good examples of their successful applications in catch documentation and validation to combat IUU fishing. Common criteria/guidelines for port surveillance should be used by countries in the region to develop systems for port inspection and validation. Development of guidelines or standard procedures for port surveillance should involve a lawyer in the process.
Vietnam will organize a workshop to assess the impacts of EC Regulations on small-scale fisheries. Vietnam to organize a workshop to assess the impacts of EC Regulations on small-scale fisheries (Vietnam, December 2011). Construction of the MCS network in all three RPOA subregions oDistribution of information between subregions on the IUU list is ongoing.
The concept of catch certification has recently become more recognizable with the introduction of the European Union Regulation (EU) 1005/2008. Knowledge of the relevant provisions of the PSMA and its purpose in combating IUU fishing; Appreciates available information on IUU fishing and is informed of relevant PSMA information sharing requirements.
Regional Meeting of Key Experts on Fishing Licensing, Boat Registration and Information on the Export of Fishery Products in Southeast Asia, October 4 to 7, 2011, at Windsor Suites Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.
An opportunity to strengthen national, subregional and regional efforts to manage fisheries integrated with habitat management, to manage fishing capacity and to combat IUU fishing. Mobilize the leading countries to engage key AFCF clusters and spearhead improved efforts.
Implement the operational management of fisheries refugia at the selected location, with the aim of improving longer-term sustainable yields of the target resources. The cross-sector advisory group/governing board should include representation from all major stakeholder groups to guide the establishment and management of fisheries refugia. Fisheries Management Activities Refugia 10 activities have been agreed for operational management under the UNEP/GEF South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand Project.
Development of mechanisms and measures for the management of refuges - Consultation with stakeholders and cooperation in the development of fisheries. Key outcomes of this activity will be the adoption of these management frameworks for the participation of community members in the establishment and management of fish sanctuaries. This activity includes the preparation of guidelines for the implementation of fisheries refuge management measures for dissemination to local community groups.
Initial activities for the development of an MCS network in the Gulf of Thailand sub-region, as a result of previous meetings, prioritized information sharing and close coordination with relevant authorities in Member States. Key points on the development of the MCS network, as summarized in the “Report of the Sub-Regional Meeting on the Gulf of Thailand”, Bangkok, Thailand, February 24 – 26, 2009, are shown in Appendix 1. Within the Southeast -Asian region, experiences can be drawn from MCS cooperation in the Arafura-Timor seas.
Finally, it is envisaged that this activity will ensure the continuation of the initiated activities for the establishment of the MCS network in the sub-region, in particular for enhanced cooperation and agreement on structures between member states. This recommendation was strongly supported by this GOT meeting and the meeting recognized the importance of MCS network development to strengthen M, C and S functions and sustainable fisheries management in the sub-region. The rationale for promoting the MCS network already includes, in the short term, the ambition to promote fishermen's compliance with the requirements of sustainable fisheries and, through the M,C,S network, to prepare countries for the growing requirements for traceability, catch documentation (EU and others) and the possible implementation of legally binding measures by the country ports.
Development of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSM Agreement), adopted in 2009. The requirements of the PSM Agreement must be applied to domestic landings if the catches are intended for export. In both sub-regions, the participants emphasize the development of port surveillance.
Since the adoption of the PSM Agreement at the FAO in November 2009, only Myanmar among the countries in the region has acceded to the PSM Agreement (November 22, 2010), while Indonesia has signed the PSM Agreement (November 22, 2009). During the second meeting of the Gulf of Thailand countries, they agreed to share information on port state and flag state measures. 9 This specifies a range of information relating to the volume and location of the catch, and the name and flag state of the vessel.
Cross-border management issues and opportunities should be followed up with each of the JIT countries, including sub-sub-regional events and on-the-ground events for information sharing and capacity building/learning. For better communication and close cooperation between the countries of the JIT sub-region, it is proposed that one or two contact points should be appointed by the respective JIT countries to facilitate communication and information sharing (Annex 1). One of the contact points should be comparable to the national contact point for the RPOA and the other contact points should have relevant responsibilities regarding habitat management and fisheries conservation.
Relevant information should be simplified to create materials for awareness and training activities. A basis for available information on vessels (small and large) between GOT countries needs to be developed. If available, the names and origin of the vessels should be included in the information.
