Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM)

Ecosystem Approach to Management of Fisheries (EAFM) and Other Marine Resources Fully Applied

This is the link to Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management TOR/Rules and Regulation:

• Rules of Procedures of the CTI-CFF Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management
• Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management Working Group Goals, Targets and Indicators

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership among six countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste—committed to safeguarding the region’s unparalleled marine and coastal fisheries resources while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. Today, these important fisheries resources face increasing threats from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and other human-induced impacts, including environmental degradation. These challenges not only endanger the rich biodiversity of coral reefs and the biological diversity depended on it, including fisheries but, more importantly, jeopardize the livelihoods and food security of millions of people living in the Coral Triangle region.

Through the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Technical Working Group, CTI-CFF develops and implements fisheries management strategies that balance societal needs with ecosystem sustainability, ensuring the protection of marine resources for future generations. At the regional level, CTI-CFF prioritizes strengthening existing sub-regional collaborations and advancing transboundary actions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. A key component of this effort is the ongoing implementation of the Coastal Fisheries and Poverty Reduction Initiative (COASTFISH) regional framework, which aims to enhance coastal fisheries management and support community livelihoods.

The members of CTI-CFF EAFM Working Group for 2026 are as follows:

The CTI-CFF EAFM Working Group has collaborated with the US Department of Interior and the USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership for the implementation of the electronic Catch and Documentation System (e-CDTS) for Tuna Fisheries from 2017 to 2019 under the Strengthening Organisational and Administrative Capacity for Improve Fisheries Management (SOACAP-IFM). The e-CDTS is a software developed by the USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership that will record, among other things, the fishing ground location and the size of tuna catch in order to combat Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing in three Priority Seascapes.

• The proposed Transboundary Approach to Securing Coral Reef Fisheries and Biodiversity Resources in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape project has been accepted by CT6 countries for GEF submission.
• A virtual learning exchange between Atlantic and Asia Pacific on Coral Reefs rehabilitation will be done this year in conjunction with CTI-CFF RS, ASEAN ACB and the WWF EU Ocean Governance project.
• Sustainable Fisheries in Asia (SUFIA) is supported by USAID RDMA for SEAFDEC and CTI-CFF for 2 years (2020 to 2022) which was launched in 2020.

Other examples of the accomplishments of the EAFM Working Group include:

• Completed Sulu-Sulawesi Sub-Regional EAFM Implementation Plan in March 2020.
• Conducted the 3rd Coral Triangle Fisheries Forum (Coastfish) 2017.
• Development of Towards Ecosystem-based Coastal Area and Fisheries Management in the Coral Triangle: Integrated Strategies and Guidance.
• Development of the manual “Incorporating Climate and Ocean Change into an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Plan.”
• Development of Integration Guide Brief – Toward Ecosystem-based Coastal Area and Fisheries Management in the Coral Triangle, Integrated Strategies and Guidelines.
• Conducted 3rd EAFM Regional Exchange on the Implementation of EAFM in the Coral Triangle Countries.
• Conducted CTI-CFF Regional Exchange and Policy Workshop on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (2011).
• Conducted CTI-CFF Regional Exchange on EAFM LRFFT in the CTI (2010).
• Completed its EAFM Framework.
• Developed its M&E indicators.
• Completed its Terms of Reference.
• Started conducting EAFM trainings at the regional and local level.
• Adoption of the EAFM training module by the six (6) Member Countries and some are conducting their own trainings nation-wide.
• Collaborated with the Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (RPOA-IUU).
• Strengthened fisheries policies and legislations among member countries.
• Initiated discussions on tuna management, protection and governance.
• Developed a roadmap to achieve the targets of Goal 2 of the RPOA.
• Developed a resolution on LRFFT and conducted a consultative forum on LRFFT.

Workplan for 2023 and proposed Budget

Planned Activities	Time Frame	Proposed Budget Online
8th EAFM Working Group Meeting together with Seascapes WG and discussion workshop on the outcome and output Indicator B1.1.2.a from RPOA 2.0	Q1-Q2 PH or ID PG: Q3-Q4	USD 8,500 Similar approach would follow SWG
Output Indicator B1.1.2.a A regional action plan/programs to promote and share knowledge, technology, and best practices are supported/implemented for COASTFISH regional framework is established, by 2023 There are many more outcomes and outputs indicators, but they are due later than 2023	--	SUFIA TS: The proposed workshop will be brought up to RDMA; and The Budget is pending further discussion and approval of RDMA