SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
SEAFDEC, represented by the Senior Policy Officer from the SEAFDEC Secretariat, Ms. Pattaratjit Kaewnuratchadasorn, participated in the 17th Meeting of ASEAN Fisheries Consultative Forum (17th AFCF) on 22 July 2025 and 33rd Meeting of ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (33rd ASWGFi) on 23–24 July 2025 in Yangon, Myanmar hosted by the Department of Fisheries of Myanmar.
During the 17th AFCF, SEAFDEC shared its ongoing initiatives and activities carried out by its Technical Departments during 2024–2025 to support the AMSs. These initiatives cover several key areas, including management of fishing capacity and zoning system, securing sustainable small-scale fisheries, addressing the impacts of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture, combating IUU fishing, and enhancing traceability of fisheries and aquaculture products. At the 33rd ASWGFi, SEAFDEC reported under the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (ASSP) the outcomes of the 27th FCG/ASSP Meeting held in December 2024. The report highlighted 23 ongoing projects in 2024-2025, of which 12 were completed in 2024 and 11 are continuing in 2025. The 33rd ASWGFi endorsed eight new Japanese Trust Fund projects starting in 2025 under the FCG/ASSP Mechanism. Furthermore, the 33rd ASWGFi supported the submission of two regional policy documents for endorsement by the ASEAN higher level, namely: “Report of the Stock and Risk Assessments of Two Seerfish Species (Scomberomorus guttatus and S. commerson) Resources (1950–2022) in the Southeast Asia Region using ASPIC 5” and “Regional Guidelines on Good Manufacturing and Handling Practices (GMP & GHP) for Ready-to-Eat Raw Fish and Fishery Products.” Both documents were approved by the SEAFDEC Council during its 57th Meeting in May 2025.
Through these annual meetings of the ASEAN, SEAFDEC reaffirms its commitment to advancing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Southeast Asia.
