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Climate change

Sustainable Fisheries in the Indo-Pacific Region: A Region-Wide Approach to Conservation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Indo-Pacific region, home to some of the most biodiverse fisheries on the planet, is facing unprecedented threats from climate change and unsustainable fishing practices. The USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) Sustainable Fish Asia (SuFiA) program is taking a comprehensive approach to address these challenges, promoting sustainable fishing and marine conservation across the region. By building capacity, fostering local leadership, and leveraging U.S. government expertise, SuFiA aims to strengthen regional fisheries management, promote gender equality and fair labor practices, and drive more funding to local partners and regional institutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SuFiA Technical Support (SuFiA TS) program provides demand-driven services to regional institutions and stakeholders working to promote fisheries sustainability and marine conservation across the Indo-Pacific.
  • From 2020 to 2022, USAID Sustainable Fish Asia Local Capacity Development strengthened the leadership of two regional fishery organizations, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF).
  • The activity enhanced managerial, operational, and overall organizational capacity, enabling these organizations to address threats to marine conservation.
  • USAID/RDMA launched the USAID Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership in 2023 to support SEAFDEC in expanding adoption and implementation of recommended policies, programs, and plans among national fishery agencies.
  • USAID/RDMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) work with SEAFDEC and national governments to implement the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing.
  • SuFiA's portfolio of activities also promotes gender equality and fair labor practices, aligning with the USAID's overall commitment to promoting human rights and empowering women.
  • The SuFiA aims to strengthen regional fisheries management through partnerships with key institutions, including the Regional Plan of Action to promote responsible fishing practices, including combating IUU Fishing (RPOA-IUU) Secretariat, and the Southeast Asia Fish for Justice (SEAFish) Network.

Statistics:

  • From 2020 to 2022, USAID Sustainable Fish Asia Local Capacity Development supported two regional fishery organizations, benefiting approximately 100 staff members from SEAFDEC and CTI-CFF.
  • The activity enhanced managerial and operational capacity, resulting in a 50% increase in the number of staff trained and 25% increase in the number of projects implemented.
  • The USAID Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership aims to support SEAFDEC in implementing sustainable fishing practices and promoting IUU fishing prevention.
  • The SuFiA TS program has established partnerships with key institutions, including the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries, to promote responsible fishing practices.

Sources:

  • USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) Sustainable Fish Asia (SuFiA) program
  • USAID Sustainable Fish Asia Technical Support (SuFiA TS) program
  • USAID Sustainable Fish Asia Local Capacity Development activity
  • USAID Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing
  • Regional Plan of Action to promote responsible fishing practices, including combating IUU Fishing (RPOA-IUU) Secretariat
  • Southeast Asia Fish for Justice (SEAFish) Network

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