Port Sudan – Sudan (21 – 22 May 2025)

The consultative meeting for the development of the National Plan to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing was held in Port Sudan, Republic of Sudan, from May 21 to 22, 2025. The meeting was inaugurated with a speech by the Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, in which she highlighted the importance of the marine environment, the challenges it faces, and the ways to preserve it.

The Secretary-General emphasized the need to preserve fishery resources by reducing IUU fishing. She stressed the importance of enacting stringent laws to combat this phenomenon, enhancing monitoring through the use of modern technologies, and raising awareness of the dangers posed by such activities. Additionally, the need for collaboration between all relevant stakeholders was highlighted, along with the importance of fishery statistics, determining fishing seasons, and inspecting vessels.

During the meeting, the national consultant presented the draft plan, in which national priorities were set and a budget was allocated for each action related to combating IUU fishing. It was agreed the consultant will revise the draft to consider comments and recommendation by the consultative committee, and present the revised draft in a second meeting to be held at the Fishery Research Center, in preparation for discussion of the final draft at a national workshop for final validation and endorsement.

The meeting was attended by 12 representatives from various governmental entities and stakeholders, with the largest representation coming from the Marine Fisheries Administration. The meeting was highly productive, successfully achieving its intended goals.