The GFETW is one of the Network’s key initiatives and brings together the global fisheries MCS, compliance and enforcement community to discuss key and emerging fisheries MCS challenges and opportunities, to exchange and share information and lessons learned. The GFETW is an important initiative for the Network and is a key forum to promote communication, coordination and cooperation across our community. The GFETW is an interactive event and seeks to provide meaningful opportunities for capacity building and networking for our members. It is also an opportunity to champion successful initiatives and the voices of our members, observers and partners.
The Network hosted the first GFETW in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005 and 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.
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 300 participants from a range of national, regional and international organizations and agencies.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, the GFETW was held online in 2021. The theme of the 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 event also included MCS papers, presentations, and short videos relevant to one of the following four GFETW themes: cooperation and partnerships, risk assessment and analysis, technology as an enabler, and transparency. The Workshop had over 600 participants from a range of national, regional and international organizations and agencies.
