The challenge of combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to require strong regional cooperation. To support this effort, the Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating IUU Fishing (RPOA-IUU) convened the Workshop on Promoting Flag State Responsibility and the FAO Compliance Agreement 1993 from 6–8 October 2025, an activity endorsed at the 17th Coordination Committee Meeting. Developed through a multi-partner collaboration, the workshop was supported by Australia’s Combating IUU Fishing Program and the technical expertise of ANCORS.
Nine RPOA-IUU participating countries attended the workshop, sharing national experiences and acknowledging that Flag State responsibilities are implemented at varying levels across the region. Differences in vessel record systems and authorization practices highlighted the importance of aligning national frameworks with international instruments such as the FAO Compliance Agreement 1993 and the Voluntary Guidelines.
The workshop also featured insights from FAO, IMCSN, and SEAFDEC, who provided global perspectives, best practices, and regional approaches to strengthening Flag State performance. Key recommendations included encouraging FAO support for potential ratification processes, developing policy guidance on the benefits of the Agreement, and seeking donor support for continued activities.
