10 June 2024 – The Philippine Embassy, together with the Australian High Commission, the Embassy of Vietnam and the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), co-hosted a forum on Enhancing Understanding of Fishing Rights under UNCLOS on 30 May 2024.

 

With the aim of fostering a greater understanding of fishing rights of states under UNCLOS, the forum discussed challenges, opportunities, and best practices related to the governance of fishing activities in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Keynote Speaker Prof. Stuart Kaye of the University of Wollongong, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security (ANCORS) discussed the rights and responsibilities of states vis-a-vis fishing activities as outlined under UNCLOS.

 

Prof. Jacqueline F. Espenilla, Senior Fellow of the University of the Philippines-Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS), articulated the Philippines’ perspective on implementation of fishing-related activities and potential ways forward under regional frameworks of cooperation including the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (ASWGFi) and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). She also emphasized the importance of bilateral and sub-regional cooperation on maritime law enforcement.

 

Other panelists were Ms. Lim Ai Gaik of the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, and Dr. Vu Hai Dang of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam- East Sea Institute. The forum was moderated by Prof. Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo of Universiti Teknologi MARA Faculty of Law.

 

The forum attracted a distinguished audience, including Heads of Diplomatic Missions, members of the diplomatic corps, and key figures from academia and government agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Navy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Their presence underscored the significance of the discussions and the collective commitment to addressing critical challenges in fisheries governance. END.

 

 

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