REPORT OF THE TWENTY SECOND MEETING OF THE ASEAN SECTORAL WORKING GROUP ON FISHERIES (22nd ASWGFi) June 2014, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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1 The Seventeenth Meeting of Fisheries Consultative Group of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (FCG/ASSP) Sunee Grand Hotel & Convention Center, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand 4-5 December 2014 REF06 REPORT OF THE TWENTY SECOND MEETING OF THE ASEAN SECTORAL WORKING GROUP ON FISHERIES (22nd ASWGFi) June 2014, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia INTRODUCTION (Adopted) excerpt 1. The Twenty Second Meeting of the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (ASWGFi) was held on June 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2. The Meeting was attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, as well as representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat. The representatives from the ASEAN-U.S. Maximizing Agriculture Revenue through Knowledge, Enterprise Development and Trade (ASEAN-U.S. MARKET) Project, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), FAO Consultant, Marine Fish Farmers Association of Malaysia, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and USAID also participated in the Open Session of the Meeting. The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1. OPENING SESSION 3. The Meeting was opened by Dato Ahamad Sabki bin Mahmood, Director General of Department of Fisheries of Malaysia. He extended his warm welcome to the delegates from the ASEAN Member States (AMS) to the Meeting. In his remarks, Malaysia recalled the affirmation from the ASEAN Leaders through Nay Pyi Taw Declaration whom they had agreed to expedite the implementation of the remaining action lines under the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community ( ) through concrete programmes and activities. This was also linked with the last ASWGFi Meeting on 2013 held in Lao PDR which agreed to the key measures and deliverables for Malaysia recognised that ASEAN has an important role to play being one of the major suppliers of fish or seafood to the world. Malaysia also recognised the positive contribution of fisheries to food security; generating income, employment and foreign exchange, without neglecting the threat of climate change which impact to food security and strongly supported the exchange of information concerning climate change and intensify scientific research. With regards to the post 2015, Malaysia acknowledged that ASEAN is initiating a study to develop a vision, objectives and goals of the ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry sectors toward While recognising the development of ASEAN Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) as one of the key measure under ASEAN Economic Community, Malaysia strongly supported this initiative. Lastly, Malaysia expressed appreciation to the organisers for the excellent arrangement of the Meeting and officially declared the Meeting open. 4. Mr. Bounthong Saphakdy, Deputy Director General, Department of Livestock and Fisheries of Lao PDR, as the outgoing Chairperson delivered the remarks. Lao PDR expressed appreciation to Malaysia as the Host and the upcoming Chair of the 22nd ASWGFi Meeting, as well as to all AMS and ASEAN Secretariat for supporting Lao PDR during the period of Chairmanship. Lao PDR wished that the 22nd ASWGFi Meeting would generate the continued guidance and support from the AMS in this important deliberation for programmes and activities under the ASEAN Cooperation in fisheries. 1

2 OPENED SESSION 7. ASEAN-SEAFDEC STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP (ASSP) PROGRAMME 7.1 International Fisheries Related Issues 31. SEAFDEC informed the Meeting on the update activities related to international fisheries and fish trade issues, covering on: 1. Regional Cooperation on Combating IUU Fishing: o Establishment of RFVR for 24 m in length and over, this program was supported by the SSOM-AMAF last year o Development of ASEAN Catch Documentation System to support Intra-regional Trade, this program was also supported by the SSOM-AMAF last year o Development of the Guidelines to prevent the entry of fish and fishery products from IUU activities to the supply chain under the FCG/ASSP Program 2. Regional Cooperation to promote sustainable fisheries in ASEAN region: o RPoA on Neritic Tuna under the FCG/ASSP Program 3. Food Safety Issues o Traceability system for Aquaculture product 32. The Meeting took note the SEAFDEC presentation, appears as ANNEX ASEAN-SEAFDEC Fisheries Consultative Group (FCG) 33. The 16th ASEAN-SEAFDEC Fisheries Consultative Group (FCG) of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (ASSP) Meeting was held on November 2013 in Penang, Malaysia. Likewise, the Chair of the ASWGFi served as the Co-Chair with SEAFDEC of the said Meeting. Lao PDR as the Co-Chair of the 16th FCG/ASSP informed the Meeting on the outcomes of the Meeting. The information paper and presentation appear as ANNEX The Meeting noted on the suggestion to have the ASEAN Common Position on the List of Aquatic Species to be submitted to COP on CITES. The Meeting requested for fisheries representative to be invited to the AEG-CITES meetings when aquatic species are raised for CITES listing Collaborative Projects On-going Projects / Existing Programmes 35. SEAFDEC reported to the Meeting on the outcomes of the 16th FCG/ASSP Meeting on the reviewed and endorsed the on-going collaborative projects for From the latest FCG/ASSP discussion, SEFDEC informed the Meeting on the 22 existing projects, 21 had been categorized under the five SEAFDEC Program Thrusts adopted by the SEAFDEC Council in 2009; while the project on Fisheries and Habitat Management, Climate Change and Social Well-being in Southeast Asia was a Special Project. Information paper from SEAFDEC on the on-going projects for and the presentation appears as ANNEX 16. 2

3 36. The Meeting noted suggestions from AMS on providing training and technical assistance from SEAFDEC to the activities related to the on-going projects. SEAFDEC indicated to convey those suggestions to SEAFDEC Project Committee Meeting. 37. The Meeting was informed on the decision made by the 6th AFCF Meeting on the finalisation of Guidelines for Managing Fishing Capacity for the ASEAN Region. To this regards, the Meeting recalled the decision made at the 5th AFCF Meeting on 2013 on the offer from SEAFDEC to host a workshop to discuss and finalise the draft Guidelines with the participation of AMS. Malaysia as the Lead Country will follow-up with SEAFDEC on this matter New Initiatives (Proposed New Projects for the Year 2014) 38. For the new initiatives in 2014, SEAFDEC informed the Meeting on the recommendation made at the 16th FCG/ASSP Meeting. There are 2 projects recommended as the proposed new projects, namely: i) Establishment and Operation of a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand; and ii) Enhancing Coastal Community Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood and Coastal Resources Management. The information paper and presentation appears as ANNEX The Meeting noted the support from Philippines and Malaysia as the Lead Countries for Establishment and Operation of a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand; Enhancing Coastal Community Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood and Coastal Resources Management, respectively. 40. With regards to the Guidelines for the Use of Chemicals in Aquaculture and Measures to Eliminate the Use of Harmful Chemicals, endorsed by the SSOM-34th AMAF Meeting and the 35th AMAF Meeting, SEAFDEC agreed to continue assisting AMS to update the list of the chemicals used in fisheries. 41. The Meeting noted the proposal from Indonesia to SEAFDEC: i) to develop online traceability system, ii) to provide training on internal quality assurance for aquaculture and iii) to provide training on competency improvement fisheries inspector for IUU and Destructive Fishing Prevention. 7.4 Proposals for the Implementation of the ASSP Programme Regional Fishing Vessels Record (RFVR): A tool to combat the IUU fishing in Southeast Asian Region 42. The Meeting recalled the discussion at the 21st ASWGFi Meeting on the concept note of RFVR, which was introduced by SEAFDEC. The concept proposal was supported by the Special Senior Officials Meeting of the Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (Special SOM-34th AMAF) to establish a Regional Fishing Vessels Record (RFVR) for 24 meters in length and over as a tool to combat IUU fishing in the Southeast Asian Region. 43. SEAFDEC reported to the Meeting on the progress made for developing the RFVR, covering on agreed basic information requirements for RFVR by the AMS Expert Group, reviews number of fishing vessels in AMS (for 2013), agreed sharing of basic information in the RFVR system, compilation of basic Information from AMS and development of database system for RFVR 24m in length and over. This concept note received recommendations at the 46th SEAFDEC Council. Following to Council meeting, SEAFDEC will introduce the database system during the next expert meetings in the 3rd Quarter of At the proposed meeting, SEAFDEC will continues consultation on the further steps on completed database system including the all information inputs needed from the AMS. SEAFDEC/TD will take into consideration and put in its plan for 2015 after consulting with the donors. The details of this matter will be discussed at the 37th Meeting of the Program Committee 3

4 and 17th Meeting of the FCG/ASSP in early of December The information paper appears as ANNEX Concept Note on Development of ASEAN Catch Documentation System 44. The concept note on development of the ASEAN Catch Documentation System was in principle supported at the 21st ASWGFi in June 2013, while suggested that SEAFDEC engage major importing countries in the consultation process for the development of the ASEAN Catch Documentation System. Recalling the discussant of the SOM-AMAF, the SSOM-34th AMAF Meeting on August 2013, in Pakse, Lao PDR, supported the establishment of the ASEAN Catch Documentation System, which could facilitate not only intra-regional trade in fish and fisheries products but also enhance the cooperation among the ASEAN Member States in the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by SEAFDEC informed the Meeting that in 2014, reviewed works on the development of the Catch Documentation system have been made by MFRDMD in collaboration with Secretariat and Singapore Lead Country. Due to several issues concerns, such as patterns of IUU fishing activities occurred in the region, using of regional fishing vessel record and existing catch documentation system from RFMOs, and etc., therefore the SEAFDEC consider meeting among three parties (MFRDMD, Secretariat and Singapore) in August 2014 to discuss on the drafting of the ASEAN Catch Documentation System. SEAFDEC plan to organize the expert group meeting on ASEAN Catch Documentation System during September-October 2014, this will allow all AMS to finalize the 1st draft of the ASEAN Catch Documentation System before endorsement by the 17th FCG/ASSP in December The information paper from SEAFDEC appears as ANNEX The Meeting noted the comment and suggestion from the AMS with regard to the initiative on combating IUU fishing. The Meeting expressed the needs to harmonise catch documentation system and to link with fishing vessel record. To develop the common platform for combating IUU fishing, the AMS suggested inviting FAO in the future activities. 47. The Meeting suggested SEAFDEC to engage with major importing countries, particularly EU, and to provide them with the overview on how AMS work on Catch Certification System 8. ASEAN COOPERATION WITH DIALOGUE PARTNERS 8.1 ASEAN Plus Three Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture and Resource Enhancement in Southeast Asia (Japan) 48. The Meeting recalled that the 9th AMAF Plus Three Meeting held in November 2009 in Brunei Darussalam endorsed Japan s project proposal on Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture and Resource Enhancement in Southeast Asia, in which SEAFDEC shall act as the implementing agency for the period of under the funding of the Japanese Trust Fund (JTF-V). The programme comprises seven projects, namely: 1) Promotion of Sustainable and Region-oriented Aquaculture (Lead Country: Philippines); 2) Resource Enhancement of International Threatened and Over-exploited Species in Southeast Asia Through Stock Release (Lead Country: Philippines); 3) Research and Management of Sea Turtles in Foraging Habitats in the Southeast Asian Waters (Lead Country: Malaysia) (completed in 2012) 4) Rehabilitation of Fisheries Resources and Habitat/Fishing Grounds through Resources Enhancement (Lead Country: Thailand); 4

5 5) Traceability Systems for Aquaculture Products in Southeast Asian Region (Lead Country: Singapore); 6) Accelerating Awareness and Capacity-building in Fish Health Management in Southeast Asia (Lead Country: Philippines); and 7) Food Safety of Aquaculture Products in Southeast Asia (Lead Country: Philippines). 49. The Meeting took note of the progress of those projects. The information paper appears as ANNEX The Meeting appreciated the progress made by SEAFDEC in supporting some activities that related to the ASEAN Cooperation in Fisheries. 51. The Meeting noted the suggestion from the AMS to SEAFDEC to include the capacity building on OIE listed disease. Indonesia highlighted on little attention on addressing the environmental condition by small scale farmers. With regards to the different level of aquaculture traceability implementation among AMS, Indonesia sought for further sharing of knowledge on aquaculture traceability implementation among AMS. Thailand suggested that next phase of ASEAN- Japan Cooperation should also focus on aquaculture feed development, aquaculture technology to reduce production cost and aquatic animal health management. 52. Concerning the project proposal on Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture and Resource Enhancement in Southeast Asia will be ended in 2014, SEAFDEC informed the Meeting that several consultations have been conducted with AMS, in order to define the priority activities beyond The outcomes of the consultations will be reported under the mechanism of ASEAN ASEAN-AUSTRALIA 53. Philippines as the Lead Country of the project Establishment of ASEAN Good Aquaculture Practices (ASEAN GAqP) informed the Meeting on the progress made under this Project. As informed at the 21st ASWGFi Meeting on the signing of the Special Service Agreement by ASEAN Secretariat and the Consultant, the AMS nominated the National GAqP Focal Points and series of Meeting and Workshop among the ASEAN Member States represented by the ASEAN GAqP National Coordinator (Focal Point), the ASEAN Secretariat, AADCP II and Project Consultant had been conducted. The Meeting was informed that the project is supported by the ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Programme (AADCP) Phase II until 2015, mounting on USD 300, The presentation appears as ANNEX Outcomes derived from the activity on are covering the 3 documents namely: i) ASEAN GAqP Guidelines, ii) the Inventory and review of Aquaculture production standards, regulations and related practices in the ASEAN region and reference to important international standards used in the ASEAN region; and iii) Strategic Plan for ASEAN GAqP. The documents appear as ANNEX 22, 23 and 24, respectively. 55. The Meeting took note that the Inventory and Review of Aquaculture Production Standards, Regulations and Related Practices in the ASEAN Region and Reference to Important International Standards used in the ASEAN Region and the Strategic Plan for ASEAN GAqP are still being reviewed by the GAqP Focal Points. The Meeting agreed to have ad-referendum decision of those two documents, for SOM-AMAF consideration. 56. The Meeting took note that the Consultant should revise the following items: 5

6 On module Food Safety on the ASEAN GAqP Guidelines, the Meeting suggested clarifying Item 3 on the purchase commercial feed. On the document Inventory, the Meeting suggested to update the on the Conclusion (page 18) concerning some AMS already passed the test for harmful substances in aquaculture products. The ASEAN GAqP Focal Points are urged to provide the most valid and reliable information to the Consultant. 57. The Meeting agreed to changing the word Standard to Guidelines and to change the definition of standard in the Glossary of the Draft ASEAN GAqP to follow the ISO 2004 definition of standard, should the word standard be used in the document. 58. To support the implementation of ASEAN GAqP in the region, the ASEAN Secretariat informed the Meeting that AADCP II agreed to provide funding support until 2015 for the activities of i) Capacity Building and Publication of ASEAN GAqP; ii) and Certification and Accreditation. The Concept Note on the Capacity Building and the proposed project proposal on Certification and Accreditation appear as ANNEX 25 and 26, respectively. 59. The Meeting noted on the suggestion from Indonesia to improve the capability of AMS on GAqP implementation. Myanmar expressed concern on the difficulties of ASEAN GAqP Accreditation. 60. The Meeting endorsed the ASEAN GAqP Guidelines with amendments for submission to SOM-AMAF for endorsement. The Meeting also agreed to provide comments on Project proposal on Accreditation and Certification by 11 July 2014 to the ASEAN Secretariat, for consolidation and further approval. 61. The Meeting agreed that for the current Guidelines on the ASEAN GAqP, ornamental fish and seaweed should not be included. However, the Meeting is open to explore developing GAqP for these two commodities in the future. 8.3 ASEAN-Islamic Development Bank (IDB) 62. IDB presented the update on the project proposal Enhancing Coastal Community Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood and Coastal Resources Management. It was informed that Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia have submitted No Objection Letter (NOL) to IDB. 63. Upon receiving the draft Technical Assistance (TA) Agreement in May 2013, the ASEAN Secretariat has consulted internally with Legal and Finance & Budget Divisions on the way forward on the implementation of the project. It was observed that if the project should be proceed under ASEAN mechanism, it may require long process. Another option is to have agreement between IDB and SEAFDEC, which may take shorter process. 64. In view to expedite the implementation of the project, the Meeting agreed to suggest IDB to pursue the option on signing the agreement between IDB and SEAFDEC. The Meeting tasked ASEAN Secretariat to send formal letter to IDB on this decision for their consideration. 8.4 ASEAN-US 65. The Meeting was updated on the ASEAN-U.S.MARKET Project for the activities under the project entitled Climate Change and its Impacts on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture: Adaptation and Mitigation towards Food Security which was endorsed at the 19th and 20th ASWGFi. Current activities under this project was conducting the 2nd ASEAN Public Private Taskforce on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, held on 3-4 March 2014 in Ha Noi Viet Nam. The presentation and concept note appear as ANNEX 27. 6

7 66. The Meeting was informed the progress made after the 21st ASWGFi Meeting, outlining on the i) Summary of discussion and action items on the ASEAN Public-Private Taskforce for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture at the 21st Meeting of the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (ASWGFi), ii) Explanation and Overiew on progress made since the 21st ASWGFi Meeting; and iii) Next steps and proposed plan of the ASEAN Public-Private Taskforce for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture for the next year. 67. The Meeting was informed on the prioritized activities agreed at the 2nd Taskforce Meeting. The Meeting noted the information shared by the Representative of Marine Fish Farmers Association of Malaysia that they agreed with the activities proposed by the 2nd Taskforce. 68. The Meeting took note and welcomed the Concept Notes developed at the 2nd Taskforce Meeting. The Meeting was of the view that the establishment of taskforce as a permanent mechanism is still too early at this stage. The Meeting will explore the proposal from ASEAN-U.S.MARKET on this issue in coming years. 69. The Meeting noted that the 3rd Taskforce Meeting will be held in Malaysia. Malaysia requested ASEAN-U.S.MARKET to furnish them with the Concept Note and Agenda within 2 weeks after the Meeting for internal coordination. 8.5 ASEAN-India 70. Recalling the conduct of the 2nd AIWGAF Meeting in 2012, the ASEAN Secretariat informed the Meeting that 2 projects, namely Evaluation of Post-Harvest Losses in Fish Industry Indonesia; and ii) Training on Geo-Informatics Application for Fishery and Marine Resource Management Thailand, was approved by India at the 4th AIWGAF Meeting, to be implemented before the MPOA ended in The project proposals appear as ANNEX 28 and 29, respectively. 71. With regard to the new project proposal from Malaysia on Capacity Building and Training for Fisheries Officer with the Latest Farming Technologies for the Production of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Giant Freshwater Prawn), the Meeting supported in principle and suggested to submit the project proposal at the 5th AIWGAF Meeting. The project proposal appears as ANNEX 30. Kuala Lumpur, 27 June