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Collapse of eastern cod population - the decline in the cod population is linked to the fishing ban on these fish; nevertheless, the cod population has not recovered.

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Challenges of Capture Fisheries in Vietnam

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Challenges of Capture Fisheries in Vietnam

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1. Governance Challenges

IUU Fishing & EU Yellow Card: Vietnam received an EU “yellow card” starting 2017. Between 2018‑2019, seafood export volume to the EU dropped by ~6.5%, and Vietnam’s market share plunged from 18% to 13% in EU seafood imports.

Territorial Risk: Overlapping sea claims escalate risk; many Vietnamese boats have been intercepted or destroyed in regional waters (In 2024, China reportedly attacked Vietnamese fishing boats near Paracel Islands, sparking diplomatic protest and illustrating regulatory and jurisdictional risks for fishers)

2. Management Challenges

Fleet Structure & Low Power: 84% of vessels have engine capacity under 90 hp, mostly nearshore operations, intensifying pressure on local stocks leading to overfishing and reducing income per unit effort.

Data Limitations: Stock assessments are outdated—capture fisheries output in 1995 was 0.93 million t, rising to 3.59 million t in 2018, but further disaggregated fish stock data remains scarce.

Species Shifts & Value Loss: Overfishing of high-value species has led to declines in size, species quality, and increased proportion of trash fish. Coastal areas (< 50 m depths) yield ~80% of total marine catch, depleting biodiversity.

3. Operational Challenges

Stagnant Growth & Depleting Stocks:

From 2018 to 2024, capture output only grew from 3.59 M t to 3.82 M t (~7% over 6 years).

Fishers report diminishing catch rates: previously up to 70 kg/night (e.g., tuna, grouper), many now return empty-handed or only catch low-value squid

Low Profitability:

Income per unit effort declining due to overcapacity and fuel costs.

Fragmented landing sites, inadequate cold chains, and lack of vessel facilities reduce efficiency and margins

4. Administrative Challenges

Fragmented Institutional Setup: Oversight split between MARD, provincial authorities, and MoIT, with inconsistent licensing and overlapping duties causing inefficiencies.

Logistics & Infrastructure Gaps:

78 fishing ports lack investment relative to fleet size (82,000 vessels); post-harvest facilities (cold chain, storm shelters) are insufficient

Behaviors and adoption of modern practices (e.g. vessel tracking, traceability) remain slow

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Thailand – Key Challenges in Capture Fisheries (Functional & Comprehensive Aspects)

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Thailand – Key Challenges in Capture Fisheries (Functional & Comprehensive Aspects)

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From a functional aspect, one of the major challenges in Thailand’s capture fisheries is the lack of an integrated monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) system. Despite efforts to combat IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, there are still gaps in enforcement capacity, especially in remote coastal areas. Limited real-time data sharing between agencies and the absence of consistent monitoring protocols hinder the effectiveness of regulatory measures.

From a comprehensive aspect, the challenge is compounded by the fragmented cooperation among responsible agencies. Fisheries governance in Thailand involves multiple ministries and local authorities, but coordination mechanisms are often weak or ad hoc. Moreover, there is insufficient engagement with local fishing communities, who are key stakeholders but often excluded from policy dialogues and decision-making processes. This lack of participation reduces the effectiveness and sustainability of fisheries management initiatives.

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Overfishing also related to inland waters that causes the decline in fish populations - it may be linked to disruptions in ecosystem balance and the extinction of certain fish

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Threat from natural predators, such as cormorants, that leads to a decline in fish populations in both the Baltic sea and inland waters.

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Illegal, Unreported and Uregulated (IUU) Fishing

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Illegal, Unreported and Uregulated (IUU) Fishing

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The new quota-based fisheries policy

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Environmental management to support sustainable aquaculture is still inadequate

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in Kenya

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in Kenya

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in Kenya

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There is still no clarity on some laws that could benefit large-scale fishing capitalists, which could affect the sustainability of marine ecosystems, such as the size of nets used for night fishing.

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Aquaculture in Kenya faces significant governance challenges that undermine its potential for sustainable growth and contribution to the economy and food security. These challenges span across governance, managerial, operational and administration spheres as detailed below;

1.    Governance:

i)      Weak policy and legal framework:

Since devolution in 2013, there has been a lack of a unified national policy and legal framework to guide the fisheries sector nationally in collaboration with devolved county governments. Incoherence in policies developed by the National government and devolved governments has resulted to slow pace in full realization of the potential of aquaculture which could otherwise lead to economic growth and food security. In some cases, there have been conflicts between the two levels of government on the role of each.

ii)      Limited community participation:

In some instances, there's limited participation of stakeholders, including resource users, in the fisheries management process, which can lead to non-compliance with regulations. A gap in involvement especially of women and youth in the decision making on matters aquaculture has slowed the realization of the potential of this sector.

2.    Managerial

i)      Insufficient Institutional Capacity and Coordination

There's a challenge in having a sufficient number of adequately trained and specialized personnel in aquaculture management and extension services at both national and county levels. This includes fish health experts, environmental specialists, and business development advisors. This has limited provision of technical effective support to farmers and thereby hampering full realization of the potential of the sector.

ii)      Poor Linkages and Collaboration

Research findings from institutions like Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute often do not effectively reach farmers leaving them to practice the old traditional fisheries methods which are no longer tenable in the wake of climate change.

Further, there is limited coordination between government bodies and private sector players which somehow stifle investment and limit the growth of the fisheries value chain.

3.    Operational

i)      High Cost and Poor Quality of Inputs

Farmers usually face challenge of poor-quality feeds which is costly as well. This has led to poor fish growth. Equally farmers face an inconsistent supply of high-quality fingerlings. This has been compounded by the limited number of certified hatcheries leaving farmers to purchase from unreliable sources, leading to substandard fingerlings with poor growth rates, genetic issues, or even mislabelled species.

ii)     Disease Outbreaks and Poor Fish Health Management

Fish farmers usually face disease outbreaks that reduce fish population as well as quality. This problem has been compounded by limited number of fish health experts. Inadequate knowledge of farmers and facilities lead to fish stress and increased susceptibility to diseases

iii)    Inadequate Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Losses

Aquaculture faces the challenge of availability of cold storage often leading to post-harvest losses. Farmers lack sufficient skills and knowledge in proper post-harvest handling, leading to physical damage, quality deterioration, and microbial spoilage.

4.    Administration

i)      Data Management and Information Gaps

There is lack of comprehensive and reliable data on aquaculture production, input usage, disease incidence, and economic performance. This makes it difficult for administrators to:

i.         Accurately assess the sector's contribution.

ii.         Identify key challenges and opportunities.

iii.         Formulate evidence-based policies and interventions.

iv.         Monitor progress and evaluate program effectiveness.

Further, there is limited accessibility and dissemination of information to various stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and investors, can be poor, hindering informed decision-making.

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Challenges of Vietnam's aquaculture industry

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Challenges of Vietnam's aquaculture industry

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Lack of planning for marine space and stable farming areas: There is no specific planning for marine space for marine farming, leading to conflicts in use with other industries such as tourism, maritime transport, oil and gas, wind power. Fishermen and businesses have not been granted the right to use stable sea areas, leading to lack of investment security, difficulty in accessing capital, and spontaneous farming, lack of environmental and disease control.

Lack of suitable technology and equipment: Cages are mainly made of traditional bamboo and wood, which are easily damaged in stormy conditions. Lack of offshore, wave-resistant, and automated farming technology, leading to high costs and great risks. Specialized equipment for offshore aquaculture such as HDPE cages, remote monitoring systems, etc.

Lack of high-quality breeds: The source of breeds depends on natural exploitation or import, unstable quality, risk of carrying pathogens. The process of producing breeds of many valuable marine species (sea fish, abalone, lobster, etc.) has not been completed and there is no complete system for controlling the quality of input breeds.

Lack of connection with the value chain: deep processing, quality certification (ASC, VietGap, EU, etc.) and traceability. Not yet built a national brand for marine aquaculture products, leading to low added value

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries in the Philippines (Comprehensive Approach)

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries in the Philippines (Comprehensive Approach)

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries in the Philippines (Comprehensive Approach)

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Based on the evaluation conducted, we have identified the Category 1: Regulatory Compliance & Governance as our Key Audit Area. For auditing this area, the most appropriate performance audit method is the Functional Approach. This method focuses on evaluating whether regulatory bodies such as BFAR, DENR, and LGUs are effectively carrying out their institutional mandates and responsibilities. Given that the key challenges—such as weak governance, inconsistent law enforcement, and complicated permitting systems—are rooted in regulatory structures and coordination mechanisms, the Functional Approach allows auditors to assess role clarity, institutional performance, and the adequacy of enforcement mechanisms. Unlike the Operational Approach, which emphasizes efficiency, or the Comprehensive Approach, which may be too broad, the Functional Approach directly addresses issues of compliance, oversight, and governance effectiveness—making it best suited for this category.

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Philippines

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Philippines

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Operational Challenges:

1. Overfishing and Illegal Fishing

Depleted fish stocks due to overexploitation.

Rampant Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, including dynamite and cyanide fishing.

Lack of effective enforcement of fishery laws.

2. Limited Access to Modern Equipment

Many small-scale fishers use outdated boats and gear.

Poor maintenance of fishing vessels leads to safety risks and inefficiency.

3. High Operational Costs

Rising fuel prices and cost of maintenance.

Difficulty accessing affordable credit or financing options.

4. Climate and Weather Vulnerability

Increased typhoons and sea temperature changes affect fish migration and catch volumes.

Loss of livelihood during prolonged bad weather.

5. Poor Infrastructure

Inadequate fish ports, landing sites, cold storage, and ice plants.

Weak value chain and post-harvest facilities result in spoilage and loss of income.

Functional Challenges:

1. Weak Governance and Coordination

Overlapping mandates among agencies (e.g., DA-BFAR, LGUs).

Inconsistent implementation of fisheries laws (RA 8550, amended by RA 10654).

2. Limited Data and Monitoring

Poor data collection on fish stock assessments.

Lack of real-time monitoring systems.

3. Inadequate Support Services

Limited extension services for capacity-building and training.

Weak integration of science and local knowledge in fisheries management.

4. Access Rights Issues

Conflicts over municipal water access between small-scale and commercial fishers.

Lack of clear delineation and enforcement of fishing zones.

Challenges in Aquaculture

Operational Challenges:

1. Environmental Degradation

Water pollution due to poor waste management and feed practices.

Destruction of mangroves for fishpond development.

2. Disease and Stock Losses

Frequent outbreaks of fish diseases (e.g., white spot syndrome in shrimp).

Limited access to quality fry/fingerlings and veterinary services.

3. Feed Supply and Cost

Dependence on imported or expensive feeds.

Poor feed conversion efficiency in many small farms.

4. Capital and Inputs

High start-up and operational costs.

Inconsistent supply and high price of fingerlings and inputs.

Functional Challenges:

1. Weak Technical Knowledge

Many smallholder aquaculturists lack proper training on good aquaculture practices.

Poor record-keeping and management systems.

2. Regulatory Issues

Complex permitting process for aquaculture operations.

Inconsistent zoning and monitoring of aquaculture areas.

3. Climate Risks

Susceptibility to floods, temperature rise, and water salinity changes.

Limited adaptive strategies for extreme weather events.

4. Market Access and Value Chain Gaps

Lack of organized market linkage and transport systems.

Price volatility and exploitation by middlemen.

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Challenges in Aquaculture in the Philippines (Comprehensive Aspect)

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Challenges in Aquaculture in the Philippines (Comprehensive Aspect)

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Challenges in Aquaculture in the Philippines (Comprehensive Aspect)

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Climate change is causing sea temperature to rise, impacting the resilience of the ocean and the species within it. As the Baltic Sea is a shallow sea basin, almost completely enclosed by land, effects of climate change will likely be severe. The feeding patterns, reproduction and spawning times of Baltic cod are all linked to temperature.

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Despite the clear evidence of the perilous state of Baltic cod, Baltic EU Member States have set fishing limits above the sustainable levels advised by scientists every year since 2013. In July 2019, the impending collapse of the Eastern Baltic cod population led the European Commission to announce emergency measures to save this stock, which resulted in the introduction of an immediate ban on all targeted commercial cod fishing in most of the Baltic Sea. Since 2020, against the advice of scientists, fishers were allowed to catch cod again, provided it was classed as ‘bycatch’, leading to a further decline of the population. Since implementing this regulation most of the cod are now bycatch in demersal fisheries (mostly with trawl gear). Since 2015, there is an EU policy – the landing obligation – which makes it illegal to discard cod above quota. But a lack of effective control mechanisms means that 'bycatch' cod above quota continue to be thrown back dead into the sea. This does nothing for the recovery of the populations and seriously undermines scientists’ ability to monitor the stocks, since illegal discards do not appear in the catch and landings data they use in their calculations.

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Challenges of capture fisheries and aquaculture

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CHALLENGES OF CAPTURE FISHERIES IN THE GAMBIA

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CHALLENGES OF CAPTURE FISHERIES IN THE GAMBIA

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Team Gambia

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CHALLENGES OF CAPTURE FISHERIES IN THE GAMBIA

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Based on the Functional Approach on auditing Regulatory Compliance & Governance in the fisheries sector, the most suitable performance audit techniques are those that help assess institutional roles, mandates, coordination, and enforcement capacity.

Based on the audit techniques mentioned in the self-learning lessons, we have identified the following techniques useful in the conduct of performance audit for the identified topic:

1. Documentation Review

Review laws (e.g., Fisheries Code), agency mandates, MOUs, organizational structures, enforcement guidelines, and compliance records.

2. Interviews

With officials from BFAR, DENR, LGUs, and regulatory bodies to understand coordination, role clarity, and enforcement challenges.

3. Multi-Stakeholder Analysis

Maps roles, responsibilities, and interactions among agencies and stakeholders; highlights gaps or overlaps in governance.

4. Case Studies

In-depth look at implementation of specific policies (e.g., fishery zoning, permitting systems, MPA enforcement).

5. Focus Groups

Engages multiple perspectives (e.g., fisherfolk, enforcers, local officials) to assess how governance and regulation are experienced on the ground.

6. Expert Panels / Expert Opinion

Used to assess the adequacy of regulatory frameworks, role clarity, and effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms.

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Challenges in the fishery and aquaculture sector of Liberia

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Challenges in the fishery and aquaculture sector of Liberia

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Challenges in the fishery and aquaculture sector of Liberia

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in Maldives

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Challenges in Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in Maldives

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Introduction

As an island nation with vast ocean territory, the Maldives relies heavily on capture fisheries, particularly pole-and-line tuna fishing, which is globally recognized for its sustainability. Aquaculture, though still in its infancy compared to capture fisheries, is being explored to diversify income sources and enhance food security.

The sector contributes significantly to GDP, employment, and exports, especially in rural communities. However, both capture fisheries and aquaculture face several challenges that threaten their sustainability and growth.

Key Challenges in Capture Fisheries

1. Limited Storage and Processing Capacity

A large percentage of fish caught are exported in raw or semi-processed form, reducing potential income. Lack of canneries, cold storage and freezing facilities lead to poor harvest losses and missed opportunities for value addition. To overcome this challenge, the government started investing in new processing plants and renewable energy-powered cold chains to address this.

2. Overfishing and Resource Management

While pole-and-line fishing is sustainable, monitoring and enforcement of fishing limits is weak in remote atolls. Furthermore, climate impacts such as rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching affect fish habitats and migratory patterns. To mitigate the challenge of overfishing and resource management, stronger data collection, surveillance and community-based management systems are needed.

3. Dependence on Export Markets

The economy is vulnerable to global price shocks and demand fluctuations, especially for skipjack and yellowfin tuna. Lack of diversification remain as challenge for Maldives to address this, due to production of fewer alternative products such as smoked, canned or ready to eat fish. Hence, developing domestic consumption, tourism-linked sales and regional trade remain as potential growth opportunities for the fisheries sector.

Key Challenges in Aquaculture

1. Limited Development and Investment

Aquaculture is still underdeveloped with few commercial farms, due to high startup costs, lack of technical expertise and limited access to finance. There is a need for research and pilot projects to identify viable species and methods.

2. Environmental Concerns

Poorly managed aquaculture can lead to pollution, disease outbreaks and damage to coral reefs. Hence, strict environmental impact assessments and biosecurity protocols are crucial for further development of the sector.

3. Policy and Regulatory Gaps

Existing laws and policies have been more focused on capture fisheries over the years, leading to lack of clear licensing procedures, zoning regulations and incentives for sustainable aquaculture. However, in recent years, the Fisheries Act (enacted in 2019), Aquaculture Regulation (enacted in 2020) require conducting EIAs before issuing aquaculture licenses.

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The  National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority ( NaFAA) was established by an Act of the National Legislature on October 9, 2017. It functions as a fully-fledged autonomous body under the Public Authorities Law of the Republic of Liberia.

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The  National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority ( NaFAA) was established by an Act of the National Legislature on October 9, 2017. It functions as a fully-fledged autonomous body under the Public Authorities Law of the Republic of Liberia.

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The fishery sector of the Republic of Liberia contributes about 10% of Liberia’s gross domestic product (GDP), and the small-scale fisheries sector is estimated to employ around 33,000 people in the country.

Fisheries in Liberia can broadly be split into two types: artisanal and semi-artisanal coastal fisheries, which make up around 86% of fishing in the country; and industrial fisheries.

Industrial Fishing Catch Efforts in Liberia

Years Annual catch in Tons

2023 4,991,043

2022 5,133,931

Artisanal Fishing Catch Effort in Liberia

Years Annual catch in Tons

2023 2.268.115

2022 2.370.400

Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) reports that there are significant concerns over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Liberia ( See section 4.1 and 4.4). With all of these efforts, there are still limitations in realizing the potential of Liberia’s fisheries due to the civil wars the country faced from 1989 to 1997, and 1999–2003. The war caused damage to piers and port facilities; ports have not been dredged since the war. This makes it impossible for larger vessels to dock, and the costs of dredging continue to increase the longer the time goes on. This is one reason why it is not possible for larger commercial vessels that fish in Liberia’s EEZ to unload their catch in Liberia, instead heading to other West African nations (e.g., Senegal, Cote d′Ivoire) before catches are sold on for consumption.

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Operationatiol approach

Specific audit techniques:

Interviews

Documentation Review

Direct Observation

Surveys

Expert opinion

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The most effective and appropriate way to audit the mentioned topics is to use a comprehensible approach. The following tools that can be used:

documentation review

physical examination

expert opinion (if required)

panel experts (if necessary)

data analysis

economic analysis