Experts from twelve countries share experiences in combating IUU fishing

The U.S. Mission in Vietnam, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the U.S. Coast Guard opened the regional workshop on illegal, unreported, and unrregulated (IUU) fishing in Da Nang in partnership with the Department of Fisheries Surveillance of Vietnam.

This three-day workshop, occurring from 23 April to 25 April, will be attended by more than 70 regional and international officials and experts in fisheries law enforcement from twelve countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The workshop is the third iteration of successful INL-funded regional IUU fishing workshops previously held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in September 2022 and Cebu, Philippines in May 2023.

Apart from discussions and updates on global IUU fishing trends, challenges facing the region’s fishing sector, information sharing initiatives, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) overview, and fishing vessel monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) tools, international experts will share their insights on how to address domestic and overseas IUU fishing violations through practical tabletop exercises based on realistic scenarios.

This regional workshop presents a platform for partners to meet and exchange information on the current context of maritime law enforcement and seek opportunities to strengthen partnerships that help combat IUU fishing effectively.

The United States is committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific and a strong, prosperous, independent, and resilient Vietnam. This workshop is just one example of how the new U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership can address shared challenges in ways that make a lasting impact on the future prospertity of our two people’s.