An international workshop on capacity building (CB) for marine research in the Asia‐Pacific region (http://www.imber.info/index.php/Science/Working‐Groups/Capacity‐Building/2012‐CB‐Workshop) was held at the East China Normal University (ECNU), in Shanghai, China. The workshop brought together about 20 marine researchers and CB experts from 14 countries to discuss CB experiences, assess regional CB needs, and consider recommendations to improve regional CB, which would be of interest to other groups and other geographical regions.