With the exception of those companies taking part in it, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is not good for business. Initial consequences are felt by the seafood industry: it quickly depletes fish stocks, reduces the potential for honest fishermen to make a living and undermines management and conservation efforts. It then goes on to weaken economies and puts the livelihoods of dependent communities at risk. It is a very far-reaching problem.
Despite some major efforts to tackle IUU, illegal activities are still rife. Best estimates from the European Commission say they account for as much as 26 million metric tons (MT) globally, with a value of EUR 19 billion (USD 21 billion).
As the largest market for seafood products in the world – importing more than 60 percent of the products it consumes, including 90 percent of its whitefish – the EU is recognized as having a critical role to play in shutting down the illegal fishing trade and its 2010 IUU Regulation (1005/2008) remains at the forefront the assault. These rules apply to all landings and transshipments of EU and third-country fishing vessels in EU ports, and all trade of marine fishery products to and from the EU.
Strong anti-IUU ties have also been established with countries beyond EU borders. Just last week, for example, it was confirmed that the People's Republic of China and Europe have agreed to establish a working group to tackle IUU fishing. This was the result of a meeting in Beijing between Qu Dongyu, China’s vice-minister of agriculture, and Karmenu Vella, EU commissioner for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries. It was also decided that their first IUU working group meeting would be held in the first half of 2016.
In a recent commentary, I highlighted that the lack of support so far given to the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), adopted by the FAO Conference in 2009 was providing a significant barrier to preventing illegal fishing. After six years, just 10 countries and the EU had ratified the agreement when 25 ratifications were required. While that figure has swelled by one or two more, it still stands well short of the number of signatories needed. It will only enter into force 30 days after being accepted by a 25th country.
The good news is there’s a new bill combatting IUU currently on President Barack Obama’s desk awaiting his signature after being passed by the U.S. legislature. This bill would allow the United States to finally participate in the PSMA. If given, it’s widely hoped U.S. ratification will be the catalyst for many other countries to follow suit.
As the only binding instrument for tackling IUU, PSMA ratification would also provide the United States with a strong platform to pursue other important IUU agreements, such as its recent bilateral arrangement with Russia.
But while crucial change is being implemented, the EU has still seen its progress in the fight against IUU slowed somewhat. To help implement EU regulations, the new website IUUWatch.eu has been launched with the support of the Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana and WWF. It provides a single point for all documentation and facts and figures relating to the Union’s fight against IUU. It also provides an up-to-date map of those countries that have been warned or sanctioned for failing to prevent illegal fishing.
Asked why there was a need to launch IUUWatch.eu, Eszter Hidas, WWF's European policy officer on illegal fishing, told SeafoodSource that addressing IUU fishing requires a coordinated effort that involves governments, civil society, the seafood industry and others. She said it is essential that the political will to guide and sustain this effort is maintained, as the upcoming years will be vital for full implementation of the regulation by the EU institutions and member states, and for taking action to improve transparency in the fishing sector.
“IUUWatch.eu is committed to offering a broad spectrum of opinions and views from a variety of stakeholders on the issue of illegal fishing, how to stop it and secure the harmonized and effective implementation of the EU regulation to end IUU fishing,” said Hidas.
“It aims to be a one-stop-shop for all documentation, news stories and facts and figures related to the EU's IUU regulation so that anyone following the progress of the regulation can find timely information easily.”
IUUWatch.eu intends to demonstrate that the EU IUU regulation is a powerful legal tool to sanction EU nationals involved in illegal fishing directly or indirectly (legal, beneficial or financial interests).
“It is the strongest piece of legislation to combat illegal fishing in the world and must be fully implemented by all EU member states,” said Hidas.
According to IUUWatch.eu and Hidas, the core components of the EU IUU regulation’s success will be secured by:
- Establishing and proliferating the use of electronic systems for collating and distributing catch certificates to allow accurate, harmonized cross-checking of information to prevent fraudulent abuse of the certificate system;
- Maintaining rigorous and regular assessments of the performance of third countries, and encouraging compliance with international fisheries laws through the yellow/red carding process;
- Ensuring uniform application of the regulation across EU member states to prevent weak spots through which illegal catch can enter the market “under the radar”;
- Warranting appropriate action by member states if their nationals are engaged in IUU fishing;
- Mandating certain vessels willing to import fish into the EU, as well as EU vessels, to be identified with the “IMO number,” the unique vessel identifier granted in accordance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) scheme;
- Strengthening the EU’s Fishing Authorization Regulation to close the loopholes that allow EU vessels to engage in IUU fishing in third countries and international waters, and;
- Engaging with other major market states to ensure similar stringent instruments are developed to drive illegal operators out of business across the globe.
Accompanying image courtesy Mike Markovina/Marine Photobank
