USAID Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership: Activity Detailed Planning Workshop convened

The “USAID Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership: Activity Detailed Planning Workshop” was convened by the SEAFDEC Secretariat on 13–15 February 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. The aims of the Workshop were to: 1) discuss the detailed activities of the USAID Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership project among SEAFDEC Departments; 2) identify associated risks along with its mitigation measures; 3) clarify cross-cutting activities; and 4) gather suggestions for improving the draft Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan. The Workshop was attended by SEAFDEC officials, Department Chiefs, and relevant staff from the SEAFDEC Secretariat, Training Department (TD), Aquaculture Department (AQD), Marine Fisheries Development and Management Department (MFRDMD), and Inland Fisheries Development and Management Department (IFRDMD), as well as representatives from the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA).

Under the USAID Sustainable Fish Asia (SUFIA) program of USAID/RDMA, SEAFDEC is implementing the project “USAID Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership Activity” from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2028. The Project’s goal is to achieve improved and sustainably managed fisheries and aquaculture practices and productions. The specific objectives of the Project include: 1) fishery policies, programs, and plans supported by SEAFDEC are adopted and implemented by national fisheries agencies; 2) commercial and small-scale fishers have appropriate financial and human resources, capacity, and good governance to adopt sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices; and 3) operational and technical capacity among national fisheries agencies and fisheries institutions is increased.

During the Workshop, the discussions focused on the 5-year detailed plan for Departmental activities, cross-cutting activities such as co-branding and communication strategy, gender-inclusive action plan, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan. In the end, the Departments attained a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and working mechanisms in supporting the implementation of the Project.