Like tropical fisheries in the other parts of the world, fisheries in Southeast Asia is generally characterized by multi-species, multi-gear and dominated by small-scale components, and providing significant contribution to local food security, sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation. Despite its importance, issues of small-scale fisheries have been addressed at the international only in the recent years. In order to prepare the readiness of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Member Countries for the forthcoming global Conference on Small-Scale Fisheries to be organized by FAO in October 2008, SEAFDEC from 29 April to 2 May 2008 organized the SEAFDEC Regional Technical Consultation (RTC) on Small-Scale Fisheries in Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Thailand.

The RTC was participated in by representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as representatives from ASEAN Secretariat, FAO/RAP, and Mekong River Commission. The RTC started with the statements made by each member countries on the importance, problems and existing national policies relevant to small-scale fisheries. Following the presentation, the Member Countries discussed and agreed with the regional coordinated position on small-scale fisheries, which is envisaged to be used as a framework and directions for sustainable management and promotion of small-scale fisheries of the region.

In addition to the preparation for the Small-Scale fisheries Global Conference, the RTC also took the opportunity to discuss the detailed activities under the project on “Promotion of Rights-based Fisheries through Co-management Approach for Small-scale Fisheries in the Southeast Asian Region to be implemented by SEAFDEC in 2008.

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) was established in 1967 with the mandate to develop fishery potentials in the region through training, research and information services to improve food supply for food security in the region. The SEAFDEC members comprise Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The SEAFDEC supreme organ is the SEAFDEC Council, of which its meeting is annually held to discuss important fisheries issues and programs, and the management of the Center.

At the invitation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, the Fortieth Meeting of the Council of SEAFDEC was held in Bali from 7 to 10 April 2008. The Inaugural Ceremony of the Fortieth Meeting of the SEAFDEC Council on 7 April 2008 was presided over by Prof. Dr. Widi Agoes Pratikto, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia. Prof. Pratikto expressed his appreciation to SEAFDEC for the implementation of several activities to ensure sustainable fisheries in the region. While highlighting the accomplishments of SEAFDEC in promoting responsible fisheries, he emphasized the need for regional cooperation to further combat IUU fishing in order to achieve sustainable fisheries. He also acknowledged the efforts of SEAFDEC in addressing international fisheries related issues, and identified some other important issues e.g. climate change and its impact on fisheries and aquaculture, which SEAFDEC could also consider exploring the possibility of providing assistance to Member Countries.