Between $10 billion and $24 billion worth of fish are caught illegally worldwide every year.

The EU recognises it has a responsibility to play a key role in the global fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing so has introduced a Regulation to prevent, deter and eliminate the import of IUU fishery products into the Community. This came into force on 1 January 2010.

What is wrong with IUU fishing?

Billions of dollars worth of fish are caught illegally every year with  far reaching environmental, social and economic consequences.. IUU fishing  directly impacts on the sustainability of fish stocks and efforts to manage fisheries as a sustainable resource. Defra believes strongly that the world’s oceans should be managed sustainably, not ruthlessly and unsustainably exploited, often at the expense of local fishermen.

Economic gain is the main force behind illegal fishing and this fact may hold the key to part of the solution. The demand for fish is growing globally at the same time as the constraints on legal fishing are increasing – together these form a strong motivation for illegal fishing particularly in parts of the world where fisheries governance and control is weak.

The EU is the largest market for fish and importer of fishery products in the world with trading partners across the world.  However, it is estimated that €1.1 billion worth of IUU fishery products have been imported into the EU every year (Oceanic development study 2007) so the Regulation is designed to counter this.

International collaboration on sustainable fisheries

Understanding China’s Fish Trade and Traceability

Defra has funded  a study:  Understanding China’s fish trade and traceability which explores China’s role in the global fish trade and examines the progress made by the mainland Chinese fish reprocessing industry towards meeting the requirements of the  EU Regulation

Partnership for African Fisheries (PAF)

A new fisheries programme was launched in Africa in spring 2009.  The Partnership for African Fisheries (PAF), is funded by the UK Department for International Development, and is being run by NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) under the African Union.

The Programme is designed to support change and reform in African fisheries to help safeguard these important natural resources into the future, both as a  source of food and as a tool for economic growth. It will create a platform for open debate, exchange of knowledge, experience and best practice, between African nations themselves and through collaboration with other international partners.

• For more information see: www.africanfisheries.org or email information@africanfisheries.org

International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (IMCS) Network

The UK is a major contributor and supporter of the IMCS Network. The aim of the Network is to link fisheries enforcement agencies from around the world and to facilitate increased communication and information sharing between and among nations to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing.

• For more information visit the IMCS website.

Chatham House International Forum on IUU fishing

Chatham House with the support of Defra, has hosted over the last few years an annual International Forum on IUU fishing. This  event brings together international policy makers, trade and non-governmental organisations  to discuss current issues in combating IUU fishing (e.g. IUU Regulation), and provides a good platform for people to share ideas and opportunities for future collaboration.

• Information on previous events is on the Chatham House website.

Global Record

This project is led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) at the United Nations. The proposed ‘Global Record of Fishing Vessels’ is intended to be the catalyst around which global transparency and traceability in the fisheries sector can be improved. Its primary purpose is to provide a tool to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing and related activities, making it more difficult and expensive for vessels and companies acting illegally to do business.

For more information see: FAO website

Further information

Information on the High Seas Task Force and IUU fishing including Closing the Net can be found on The National Archives website.

You can visit www.illegal-fishing.info which provides  information on the key issues of IUU fishing, together with news stories, information on events, key documents and links to other relevant websites.

For more information on sustainable fisheries and development, see:

• Poverty Reduction
• Economic Growth
• Food Security
• Livelihoods
• Governance
• Access Agreements
• International Trade
• Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
• Subsidies