A national workshop to review and discuss the draft National Plan of Action (NPOA) to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan concluded on Tuesday afternoon, 2 December 2025, at the Aqaba Marine Park.

The two-days workshop was organized by the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), in cooperation with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA). Approximately thirty participants took part in the workshop, representing relevant government institutions, regulatory authorities, the private sector, fishing associations, and civil society organizations.

The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Nasser Al-Zawaydeh, Director of the Aqaba Marine Reserve, representing the Commissioner of Environment at ASEZA. In his opening remarks, Mr. Al-Zawaydeh highlighted that the workshop reflects the strong and ongoing cooperation between ASEZA and PERSGA, and is implemented within the framework of the regional project “Sustainable Development of Fisheries in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH).” He reaffirmed ASEZA’s commitment to a participatory and inclusive approach in developing the IUU national plan in Jordan, ensuring the engagement of all stakeholders throughout the drafting process. He also emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue and the submission of practical proposals to enhance the plan and support its effective implementation.

The PERSGA representative commended the collaborative efforts of all participating institutions and noted that the workshop aimed to review Jordan’s NPOA-IUU as one of seven national plans developed under the umbrella of the Regional Plan of Action to Combat IUU Fishing. He also underscored the importance of the proposed measures contained in the draft plan, the identification of national priorities for implementation, and the strengthening of cooperation among PERSGA member states in addressing IUU fishing at both national and regional levels. The workshop sessions addressed several key themes, including a detailed presentation of the draft National Plan of Action, an overview of existing national legislation governing fisheries in Jordan, and in-depth discussions on national needs and priorities. Particular attention was given to training and capacity building, the development of executive regulations, proposed implementation mechanisms, and the preparation of a preliminary budget to support the plan’s execution.