This event is the pre-immanent International Fishing Technology engagement event sanctioned and supported by the FAO. It is held every 2 years and provides an opportunity for International information exchange and collaboration on fishing technology. The event will increase the profile of Australia and collaboration opportunities with the Internatinal community. It will also provide an opportunity to achieve domestic collaboration and information exchange that we will create at fringe sessions designed by the project steering committee.

The meeting will be held in Cairns, Queensland, in June 2026. Cairns is an attractive destination for international visitors, given its proximity to the reef and hinterland. It also has a reasonably fishing fleet, comprising prawn trawlers, tuna longliners, reef fishing vessels, and more.

The meeting typically extends over 5 business days, with the possibility of additional workshops being delivered prior to the meeting The meeting is typically dominated by plenary sessions with presentations delivered by delegates, topic group meetings focusing on specific topics of interest, plus a morning is dedicated to WGFTFB business meeting and updates. A study/sightseeing trip is included and generally extends over half a day. The 2024 meeting agenda was as follows:

Sunday: Welcome reception (evening)
Monday: Welcoming session, Housekeeping, Plenary session, Poster session
Tuesday: Plenary sessions, Study/sightseeing trip
Wednesday: Plenary session, Topic group meetings, Meeting dinner
Thursday: Plenary sessions, Focus session (brief presentations on ‘intelligent’ fishing such as AI)
Friday: WGFTFB business, Plenary sessions

The WGFTFB Chairs are responsible for meeting planning and allocation of time to each activity. In 2026, they will allocate time to topics of interest to developing countries, consistent with the mandate of FAO, for example, anchored FADs. This could either be incorporated into the Plenary session or the focus session. FRDC will be expected to contribute to meeting planning, particularly logistics, but can also make suggestions regarding inclusion of relevant presentations by Australian fishing technologists and researchers.

A Steering committee will be established for this sponsorship including Steve Eayrs and Kylie Dunstan and Jon Lansley on behalf of the FAO to ensure that the event is managed and designed to meet international obligations and achieve national benefit.

The FAO will require FRDC to agree to a Memorandum of Responsibilities (MoR). This document will spell out the FRDC role and responsibilities, including funding. Typically, the MoR requires the host institution to be responsible for identification/selection and payment of the following:

• Meeting venue for approximately 100 delegates including AV requirements for 5 days
• Two breakout rooms including AV requirements
• Lunch and refreshments for coffee breaks at the meeting venue for 5 days
• A welcome reception on the evening prior to the meeting or on the first evening
• A meeting dinner
• A half day study/sightseeing tour for delegates
• A delegate's kit (meeting bag, notepad, pens, etc.)
• Two meeting banners
• A group photo in front of the banners

FRDC would additionally contribute staff involvement through the Sterring committee and project manage a provider to conference manage issues such as travel, visa services and airport transfers. FRDC can seek financial and other support from third parties in association with the meeting.

FAO will provide cash contribution of an additional USD 20,000 to FRDC through a Letter of Agreement (LOA). These funds will be used to fund involvement from participants in developing countries and can include an amount to cover FRDC administration costs up to 10%.