PRESS RELEASE: USAID Oceans and Partners Celebrate Accomplishments in Improving Fisheries Management in the “Tuna Capital” of the Philippines

This week, public and private sector leaders in the seafood industry are gathering in Manila to formally recognize the end of the USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership’s work in the Philippines and to celebrate collective accomplishments.

Taking the Next Step to Scale-up Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability in Southeast Asia

USAID Oceans is working with partners throughout Southeast Asia to develop Technical Guidance on the Design and Implementation of eCDT Systems in Southeast Asia. To advance this effort, during the week of December 2, 2019, USAID Oceans convened eCDT technical working group members and regional partners to take part in a workshop to finalize this important document. 

USAID Oceans Grantees Share Progress in Developing Innovative Digital Solutions for Sustainable Fisheries Management

In Manila on November 5, 2019, USAID Oceans convened its Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Technical Advisory Group and grantee organizations developing innovative technology solutions for EAFM at the program’s learning sites.

Thailand Department of Fisheries Identifies Opportunities to Improve Catch Documentation, Traceability, and Fisheries Management

USAID Oceans has been collaborating with the Thailand Department of Fisheries (DOF) to develop and implement a robust national electronic catch documentation and traceability system. In pursuit of this goal, on October 31st, 2019, USAID Oceans, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, and the Thailand DOF held a Fisheries Value Chain Analysis Workshop.

Safer at sea: The unexpected benefit of traceability for small-scale fishers

Big and small fishing vessels are now installing systems to track where they catch fish and register the data for others in the supply chain to see. These systems are changing the lives of small-scale fishermen in an unexpected way: by enabling them to stay in touch with their families.

USAID Oceans has been supporting this initiative in General Santos, the Philippines by equipping small-scale fishers with traceability technologies and working with local governments to track vessel locations and collect important data to inform fisheries management.

Tech Developers Design Real-world Solutions for Southeast Asia’s Fisheries at the Seafood Traceability Hackathon

Over October 26-27, 2019, developers from across the world traveled to Bali, Indonesia, to participate in the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability’s third Seafood Trackathon—an event convening developers to create solutions to real-world challenges in the seafood industry.

USAID Oceans Hands Over Sustainable Fisheries Management Plans to Indonesia and the Philippines for National Impact and Support to Broader Regional Conservation Initiatives

Just ahead of the close of its fourth programmatic year, USAID Oceans reached a critical milestone with the delivery of Sustainable Fisheries Management Plans to its national fisheries agency partners in the program’s Philippines and Indonesia learning sites.

Vietnam Prepares to Launch First Seafood Traceability Pilot, Leveraging USAID Oceans and SEAFDEC’s Regional Technologies and Lessons Learned

The Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries (D-FISH) will officially begin eCDT piloting its first eCDT system this year, a significant milestone that marks a transformation in Vietnam’s seafood traceability capabilities; moving from paper-based operations to an effective, robust, as well as interconnected digitized system. D-FISH, with support from USAID Oceans and SEAFDEC, is committed to leveraging the system for not only improved fisheries management, but also advancements in the human aspects of the fisheries supply chain.

USAID Oceans’ Partners Share Benefits of Traceability Data Exchange for ASEAN Trade

On June 24 -25, USAID Oceans and its partners participated in and supported the 4th ASEAN Single Window Symposium in Bangkok, Thailand in partnership with the ASEAN-USAID Inclusive Growth in ASEAN through Innovation, Trade, and E-Commerce (IGNITE) project. At the Symposium, USAID Oceans and USAID IGNITE hosted a session, Exchanging Seafood Traceability Data through the ASEAN Single Window, in which panelists from the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), the Government of Thailand and the private sector were invited to share their perspectives. 

USAID Oceans’ Partners Receive Award for Blockchain Traceability Innovation

In 2018, USAID Oceans’ grantee and partner, Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia (MDPI), together with Anova Food LLC. and PT Harta Samudra collaborated with Bumble Bee Foods and SAP logistics to implement blockchain technology in their tuna supply chains, not only to strengthen seafood traceability throughout the supply chain for small-scale fisheries but also ensure food safety for consumers worldwide. In recognition of this accomplishment, on June 18, they were awarded the “Social Hero” SAP Innovation Award 2020, selected from amongst 433 candidates globally.