Iloilo, Philippines – The ASEAN-JICA Food Value Chain Development Project (AJFVC) under Output 3 Activities has concluded a ten-day training course on Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) for auditors of the ASEAN Member States. This training was conducted in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) in Iloilo, Philippines, from 23 March to 1 April 2026.
Recognizing that regional competence requires both a deep intellectual grasp of regulations and a “boots-on-the-ground” understanding of farm operations, the course is designed to include an intensive 34-lecture series, country reports, and immersive farm and laboratory visits. These enabled the participants to observe the practical challenges of farm management and to hone their observational skills necessary to conduct high-integrity audits.
Considering the ASEAN Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026–2030, this initiative aims to enhance regional capacity and build a more transparent, ethical, and resilient aquaculture industry. The strengthening of the human capacity development of professionals, such as auditors, is considered a vital step toward achieving these regional goals.
