Saving Seafood

ASEAN issues declaration protecting migrant fishers

May 18, 2023 — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) unanimously approved a declaration strengthening measures to protect migrant fishers at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on 10 May.

ASEAN is a political and economic compact that includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It previously passed the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP), but that agreement did not specifically address migrant laborers in the fishing industry.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

RCEP trade deal opens new avenues for seafood exporters

November 19, 2020 — A new trade deal could open up Southeast Asia to Chinese e-commerce, while also boosting Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] as an alternative to Chinese processors.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which was signed on 15 November, reduces barriers to trade between China and 15 Asian-Pacific countries. The partnership includes 10 Southeast Asian economies as well as Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia. It covers 2.1 billion people, with RCEP’s members accounting for around 30 percent of global GDP. Possibly the world’s biggest free-trading bloc, RCEP members account for almost a third of global economic activity.

Read the full story at Seafood Source