ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (AN-IUU)

Fisheries play an important role in the ASEAN region’s food security and nutrition, poverty reduction, employment, and trade. However, Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is of serious and increasing concern as it undermines the effort to conserve and manage fish stocks in the region.

ASEAN recognizes the increasing concerns on IUU fishing and has taken several approaches to strengthen cooperation in combating IUU fishing. The Vision and Strategic Plan for ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (2016 - 2025), the Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation on Fisheries (2016 - 2020), and the Joint ASEAN-SEAFDEC Declaration on Regional Cooperation for Combating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Enhancing the Competitiveness of ASEAN Fish and Fishery Products outline the focus of cooperation in the areas of strengthening  Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) programmes, building capacity to meet the requirements of  Port State Measures Agreement, Flag State and  Coastal State Responsibilities that address IUU fishing, and enhancing close collaboration between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and relevant regional and international organizations in combating IUU fishing.

As the ASEAN Chairmanship of 2019, under the theme “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability,” Thailand was well placed to deliver outcomes that would position ASEAN as a supporter of the development and comprehensive sustainability in the ASEAN region. Thus, Thailand, therefore, initiated the establishment of the ASEAN IUU Task Force.

The 1st ASEAN Meeting on Combating IUU Fishing in Partnership with the EU held from 4-5 April 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, discussed Thailand’s proposal to set up the ASEAN IUU Task Force. The 27th ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (ASWGFi) Meeting held from 27-29 June 2019 in Da Nang, Viet Nam, agreed to change the ASEAN IUU Task Force into an ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (hereinafter referred to as “the AN-IUU”) to serve as a cooperation framework for information sharing and capacity-building among AMS in combating IUU fishing through the dissemination of best practices.

 The AN–IUU aims to support the effective exchange of information, provide an accessible platform for information, create a network for better communication between the law enforcement authorities and governmental competent authorities taking responsibility for combating IUU fishing, and strengthen the capacity of government officials in the region, which will be useful to deliver concrete benefits in tackling IUU fishing.

The AN-IUU will complement, and not duplicate, the existing mechanisms, notably: the Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing in the Region (RPOA-IUU) and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). The Meeting submitted to SOM-AMAF, the Concept Proposal on the Establishment of the ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (AN-IUU) for consideration and endorsement.  

The 41st AMAF Meeting held on 15 October 2019 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam adopted the Concept Proposal on the Establishment of the ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (AN-IUU) and the document outlines the Cooperation Framework for the establishment of the AN-IUU.

The 2nd ASEAN Meeting on Combating IUU Fishing in Partnership with the EU held from 13-14 December 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, discussed the key draft documents of the AN-IUU namely; Cooperation Framework, TOR, and Rules of Procedure. Then, these key documents have been adopted by the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group (ASWGFi) in June 2020 and further endorsed by the Special SOM-AMAF in August 2020, and adopted by the AMAF meeting on 21 October 2020. With this, ASEAN Member States have agreed that Thailand is the center of the AN-IUU as proposed. In terms of the
AN-IUU interactive platform, Thailand as the AN-IUU Centre has developed an online interactive communication platform accessible to relevant authorities in AMS. The platform will provide real-time information and assistance when dealing with IUU fishing activities, which AMSs by AN-IUU Focal Point can access the platform at
https://an-iuu.fisheries.go.th/an-iuu/.

Advancing Partnership for IUUF-FREE ASEAN