Advancing the Leadership of SEAFDEC in Sustainable Inland Fisheries Governance in the Southeast Asian Region

Abstract

This article reviews the current state of inland fisheries in Southeast Asia and highlights the role of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD in leading regional efforts toward sustainable inland fisheries governance in Southeast Asia. Drawing on the achievements of the two projects in 2020–2024 supported by the Japan Trust Fund 6-2, IFRDMD promoted the importance of inland fisheries for food security and advocated for increased policy support to ensure their long term sustainability. Furthermore, IFRDMD also played a pivotal role in enhancing technical capacity, strengthening governance mechanisms, and promoting sustainable practices for inland fisheries management across Southeast Asia. To showcase the results of its years of work, IFRDMD organized the “Workshop of Best Practices in Inland Fisheries Management” on 23 October 2024 in Palembang, Indonesia. At this event, IFRDMD presented the key achievements of its two flagship initiatives, entitled “Management Scheme of Inland Fisheries in the Southeast Asian Region” and “Sustainable Management of Anguillid Eel Fisheries in the Southeast Asian Region.” The Workshop underscored the critical contributions of inland fisheries to food security and the broader agri-food transformation, demonstrating a collective commitment to the sector’s long-term resilience.