The IORA Secretariat is pleased to announce the 3rd Workshop on Developing Guidelines to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing was successfully held in Bali, Indonesia, from 1-3 October 2024, with the finalization of the Guidelines. Building on the outcomes of previous workshops, this workshop brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from IORA Member States to collaboratively strengthen regional efforts to address the growing issue of IUU fishing in the Indian Ocean. The workshop was jointly organized by IORA Secretariat, the Republic of Indonesia, and the Republic of France.
IUU fishing poses a critical threat to marine ecosystems, coastal livelihoods, and food security in the region. This workshop aimed at advancing the development of comprehensive, collaborative guidelines tailored to the unique challenges faced by IORA Member States.
The key objectives include:
- Reviewing progress made in previous workshops and updating the guidelines;
- Engaging with experts on IUU F, to ensure the implementation ability of guidelines;
- Developing actionable recommendations and shared commitments for IORA Member States to enhance monitoring, reporting, and enforcement.
The workshop featured interactive sessions, and experts' discussions offering participants an invaluable opportunity to contribute insights and share best practices in combatting IUU fishing. The workshop concluded with participants actively contributing to the development of comprehensive guidelines that align with both global best practices and regional priorities.
The Guidelines will be adopted at the next IORA Council of Minister.
