Australia-Malaysia MCS cooperation to combat illegal fishing in Southeast Asia
Recently, representatives from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) delivered a comprehensive vessel monitoring system workshop under the ‘Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Promoting Sustainable Fisheries in Southeast Asia Program’ (SEA IUU Fishing Program).
From 19–22 August, twenty-five fisheries officers and staff from the Malaysian Department of Fisheries engaged in the three-day workshop with AFMA specialists, who shared their expert skills and operational knowledge of vessel monitoring systems.
Of note, six female officers, selected for their skills and experience, were among the workshop participants.
Illegal fishing operations rely on a lack of fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) communication and coordination to avoid detection. The use of vessel monitoring systems allow authorities to monitor vessel position, course, and speed, ensuring fishers are following rules and regulations.
Workshop participants learnt about Australian techniques to assist managing and implementing their own vessel monitoring systems, bolstering their fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance capacity. AFMA specialists also shared their operational knowledge of data analysis that is critical to detecting illegal fishing activities at sea.
Australia has a long history of working with Southeast Asian partners, including Malaysia, to combat regional illegal fishing. Through regional cooperation and strong partnerships between fisheries authorities, we can address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing challenges, ensuring fish stocks are managed sustainably to support the livelihoods of people in the region.
The SEA IUU Fishing Program is managed by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
For more information about the SEA IUU Fishing program, visit the DAFF website www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/fisheries/iuu/combating-iuu-fishing-program.