25. A presentation on the contents of the IPOA-IUU and its associated Technical Guideline was made by Dr Doulman. It was pointed out that there was close correspondence between both documents and that the Technical Guideline served as a reference source for the IPOA-IUU and the steps to be taken to elaborate a NPOA-IUU. It was stressed that the IPOA-IUU should be viewed as a "toolbox" and that countries would need to assess their national needs with respect to IUU fishing and determine which tools were most appropriate in their situations.
26. The Workshop acknowledged the benefit of an "inclusive" approach to addressing IUU fishing as called for in the IPOA-IUU and in elaborating and implementing NPOAs-IUU. It was noted that governments should sensitize fishers, fishing communities and companies about the adverse impacts of IUU fishing and the need to reduce such fishing as a means of enhancing fisheries management. The Workshop recognized that national meetings with stakeholder groups, possibly in local languages, would be required. It was pointed out that FAO had already produced simple language texts explaining the Code of Conduct and IUU fishing. These texts could be translated into the region’s major languages. However, it was also noted that additional materials such as comics might be required to more fully convey messages to fishing communities.
27. Some participants were of the view that the elaboration of fishery management plans could assist in stemming the incidence of IUU fishing in both inland and marine fisheries. The Workshop recognized that while such plans would not eliminate IUU fishing, they could assist in combating it. Furthermore, participants agreed that it would be highly beneficial if countries incorporated issues relating to their NPOAs-IUU into fisheries sectoral plans/strategies when these were being developed.
