OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN ECONOMIC AND POST-HARVEST ISSUES RELATED TO MARKET ACCESS FOR FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS, BALI, INDONESIA, 1 – 3 OCTOBER 2024

On 1 October, 2024, the three-day FAO Regional Workshop on Opportunities and Challenges in Economic and Post-Harvest Issues Related to Market Access for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products held in Bali, Indonesia, was declared open by Mr Lotharia Latif, Director General of Capture Fisheries, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia. Mr Rajendra Aryal, FAO representative for Indonesia and Timor Leste, also presented an address.

Organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia, and supported by INFOFISH, over the next three days, this workshop will examine the issues such as those related to post-harvest activities that impact the competitiveness of fisheries and aquaculture products in international markets; and also establish a platform for shared understanding of global requirements and instruments, particularly focusing on sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture.

A total of 30 participants from 12 Asia-Pacific countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam) were present, together with a number of observers from WorldFish and local NGOs.

The international speakers and facilitators who will be sharing their expertise in-person and online, comprise Marcio Castro de Souza, Angela Lentisco, Dimitar Taskov, Omar Penarubia, Ansen Ward, William Griffin, Shelly Clarke, and Pinar Karakaya from FAO; Shannon Hardisty from the International Pole; Line Foundation; and Sainabou Taal from the World Trade Organisation (WTO), preceded by opening remarks presented remotely by WTO Deputy Director General Angela Ellard.

INFOFISH, the intergovernmental organization for marketing information and technical advisory services for fishery products in the Asia and Pacific region, is privileged to collaborate with FAO and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia, as the Secretariat of this workshop.

Source: INFOFISH

The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) launched the 61st Fish Conservation Week in Quezon City on September 16, 2024. The event highlighted the agency's commitment to uniting stakeholders for sustainable fisheries development under the "Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines) vision. In her speech, DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther E. Bayate emphasized the importance of collaboration across all sectors to sustainably protect the country’s fisheries resources. She described the event as a campaign for all Filipinos to unite for a sustainable fishery, urging everyone to support government programs to achieve these goals.

Source: BFAR

To protect the marine life that is often caught as bycatch, a campaign led by local and international conservation NGOs, local fishers, and tourism groups came out with a co-signing letter by more than 100 international scientists urging the government to halt the issuance of longline fishing licenses. This stance against harmful yet efficient fishing methods demonstrates that the Maldives sets an example for other countries on how to balance fishing income with ocean health and environmental protection.

Source: https://www.worldfishing.net/fisheries/maldives-permanently-bans-longline-fishing/1496133.article