GAIA Launches Policy Paper on IUU Fishing in Borneo

On 18 September 2021, Global Awareness & Impact Alliance (GAIA) organised a Virtual Launch of the Paper on Exploratory Insights into IUU Fishing in Borneo and the Closing Ceremony of the Virtual Art Showcase on IUU Fishing. The virtual paper launch was to celebrate the publication of GAIA’s first policy paper that investigates the repercussions of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the Borneo Islands, following months of field research and interviews with issue area experts and practitioners from Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah and Sarawak. 

The virtual event was attended by representatives from the public and private sectors in Brunei. The event commenced with the official launch of the IUU Fishing in Borneo Policy Paper. The attendees engaged in a moderated discussion led by Dr. Asyura Salleh on IUU fishing in Borneo Island where attendees were able to gain insight into the impacts of IUU fishing on human livelihoods and marine life. Alongside this, identify and reflect on gaps in reducing IUU fishing activities and explore best practices for long term-sustainable changes through a whole-of-nation approach in alleviating the impacts of IUU fishing. 

Following the paper launch, GAIA hosted the closing ceremony by announcing the winning bids of the virtual art auction. The virtual art auction began one week prior to the virtual paper launch that was open to the public via GAIA’s official Instagram page. The participating artists were Emy Tahir, Nurus Saifulbahri, Elroy Ramantan and Nina Lee. The art showcase aimed to expose Brunei’s homegrown art scene and empower thoughts through art and creativity. In the virtual art auction closing ceremony, the artists shared their inspirations on the art pieces with reference to the region’s coastal future and raised awareness of the threats weakening the maritime environment. 

GAIA would like to thank the attendees for their participation in the virtual launch event. The IUU Fishing in Borneo Policy Paper is available publicly on GAIA’s website.