The Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop (GFETW) is a biannual conference organized by the International MCS Network to improve and enhance capacity and communications of MCS professional from around the world. The fourth GFETW will build on the past three workshops which were particularly successful in building trust between MCS professionals. The previous workshops promoted cooperation between enforcement authorities across national boarders and facilitated the introduction of new monitoring technologies. The workshops, held in Malaysia, Norway and Mozambique, have raised awareness of the importance of compliance and enforcement of fishing laws.
The fourth GFETW will be hosted by Costa Rica and OSPESCA, the regional fisheries organization of Latin America. MCS professionals from around the world as well as experts from related fields will convene in February 2014 in San Jose, Costa Rica to learn from showcase examples of MCS practices. This Fourth Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop will focus on the protection of artisanal and regional fishing communities dependent on sustainable fisheries. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities may offer short term gain for a few fishermen but they cause long term damage to artisanal and regional fishing communities.
The workshop is not open to the general public. Participants will have expertise in matters related to fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance on a national, regional or global level. The workshop is targeted at operation level personnel. Sponsored participants are selected on the basis of their professional background, geographical representation and funding status to ensure a global perspective. The five day workshop is hosted by the Government of Costa Rica in cooperation with the international MCS Network. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English, Spanish and French.
The Fourth Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop is co-sponsored by: Costa Rica, Ospesca, Conservation International, Marine Scotland, DEFRA (UK), and the International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Network.
