APEC’s Oceans and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) was formed in 2011, following a decision to merge the Marine Resource Conservation and the Fisheries working groups (in operation since 1990 and 1991, respectively).

The OFWG aims to support APEC’s mission to foster sustainable economic growth, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The vision of the OFWG is to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management while ensuring ocean ecosystems remain resilient and provide economic value to support the livelihood of Asia-Pacific communities and food security in regional and global food supply chains.

OFWG’s five principal objectives:

1. Take continued action to end Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and protect associated workers involved through the implementation of the APEC Roadmap on Combatting IUU fishing and the development of relevant activities.
2. Address the physical and economic impacts of marine litter, marine debris, and ghost fishing gear, including through the implementation of the APEC Roadmap on Marine Debris and the development of relevant activities.
3. Contribute to sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture (SSFA) both inland and in coastal areas of the APEC region, including through the implementation of the OFWG Roadmap on SSFA and the development of relevant activities.
4. Enhance ocean resilience in the APEC region, including through the development of an APEC Ocean Resilience Enhancement Roadmap.
5. Facilitate Blue Economy development in the APEC region, including the promotion of initiatives and relevant activities to advance the sustainable management and conservation of ocean and coastal resources and ecosystems and to foster sustainable economic growth.

In 2026, OFWG continues its works to facilitate trade and investment in the region and promotes the responsible use and management of fisheries, aquaculture, and marine ecosystem resources, as well as related goods and services.

The 25th OFWG Plenary Meeting

The meeting was held on 4–5 February 2026 within SOM1 cluster in Guangzhou, China.

The 26th OFWG Plenary Meeting

The meeting was held on 20–21 August 2026 within SOM3 cluster in Dalian, China.

OFWG publications in 2026

• Workshop on Promoting Decision Support System (DSS) Using Digital Data to Support Small Pelagic Fisheries Management in the APEC Region - Summary Report
• APEC Workshop on Enhancing Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change for Sustainable Aquaculture in the Asia–Pacific - Summary Report
• Guidelines for MPA Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Community Development in APEC Economies
• Recommendations Report - Development and Application of Ex Post Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Indicators for the Fisheries Management of Jack Mackerel and Jumbo Flying Squid in APEC Economies
• Blue Citizen Community Indicators Research Report
• APEC Report on Integrating Coastal Blue Carbon Ecosystems into Climate Policies
• Aquaculture Governance Toolkit - Principles and Guidelines
• OFWG 201 2024A - Seabird-Safe Fishing - Capacity Gap Analysis
• OFWG 204 2024A - Guidebook on Early Detection of Diseases
• OFWG 203 2023A - Final Report