The Network held the first GFETW in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005 and the Workshop has been held regularly since then. The GFETW was previously hosted in Trondheim, Norway in 2008, in Maputo, Mozambique in 2011, in San José, Costa Rica in 2014, Auckland, New Zealand in 2016 and Bangkok, Thailand in 2019. During the years of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Network hosted the first Virtual GFETW in 2021. In 2023, the Network, held the 7th GFETW in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The theme of the 2021 Virtual GFETW was Illuminating the unknowns – Global cooperation to eliminate the “U’s” from IUU fishing. The Virtual GFETW focused on an interactive format highlighting three interactive panel discussions on emerging MCS areas of interest or challenges. The Workshop included MCS papers, presentations, and short videos relevant to the Workshop themes: cooperation and partnerships, risk assessment and analysis, technology as an enabler, and transparency. The Workshop had over 300 participants from a range of national, regional and international organizations and agencies.

The theme of the 2019 GFETW was Closing the Net: Global cooperation between flag, coastal, port and market States for effective enforcement of international and domestic law. The 2019 GFETW covered topics including international and regional cooperation, emerging technologies in MCS, implementation of the PSMA, analyzing and sharing MCS data and intelligence, IUU risk assessment frameworks, “Chasing the Thunder” presentation and roundtable, capacity building for better enforcement action, improved compliance in RFMOs and the monitoring and control of transshipment. The Workshop had over 150 participants from a range of national, regional and international organizations and agencies.