On September 7, 2011, NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco and Maria Damanaki, European Union commissioner for maritime affairs and fisheries, signed a statement pledging bilateral cooperation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, known as IUU fishing—a first for the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and the E.U. on fisheries management.
The European Union and United States rank first and third, respectively, as the world’s top seafood importers. Globally, illegal fishing deprives legal fishermen and coastal communities of up to $23 billion of seafood and seafood products annually.
In the statement, the U.S. and the E.U. make it clear that they are committed to cooperating on combating IUU fishing as the only effective way of ending these practices. Among other things, they agree to work together to support the adoption of effective management measures in regional and international organizations to combat IUU fishing; promote tools that prevent IUU operators from benefiting economically from their illegal activities; exchange information on IUU activities; and promote the sustainable use of fisheries resources while preserving marine biodiversity.
Showing posts with label IUU fishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IUU fishing. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
USA Combats Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing
On January 12, 2011, NOAA submitted a report to Congress identifying six nations whose fishing vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in 2009 and/or 2010.
The list includes Colombia, Ecuador, Italy, Panama, Portugal, and Venezuela.
According to NOAA, the action opens the way for continued consultations between the U.S. government and each of the nations to encourage them to take action to stop IUU fishing by their vessels.
In this report, NOAA also announced that the six previously identified nations (China, France, Italy, Libya, Panama, and Tunisia) have addressed instances of illegal fishing described by the United States in the 2009 report to Congress. These nations applied penalties to the vessels in question or adopted laws to strengthen control of their fishing fleets or both. Each has received a positive certification as a result of their actions.
The nations identified in the report had fishing vessels that did not comply with measures agreed to under various international fishery management organizations, such as closed fishing seasons, vessel registry lists, and a ban on the use of driftnets. Other violations included illegal gear modifications, fishing without authorization, and possession of undersized bluefin tuna.
Although Italy and Panama took corrective actions for illegal fishing identified in the 2009 report, other vessels from these countries still engaged in IUU fishing, which included illegal use of driftnets and fishing in an area when it was closed to purse seine nets.
If a nation fails to take appropriate action to address the instances of illegal fishing described in the report, that nation’s vessels may be denied entry into U.S. ports and the President may prohibit imports of certain fish products from that nation or take other measures.
According to NOAA, Annual global economic losses due to IUU fishing are estimated to be as high as $23 billion.
source: NOAA press release
The list includes Colombia, Ecuador, Italy, Panama, Portugal, and Venezuela.
According to NOAA, the action opens the way for continued consultations between the U.S. government and each of the nations to encourage them to take action to stop IUU fishing by their vessels.
In this report, NOAA also announced that the six previously identified nations (China, France, Italy, Libya, Panama, and Tunisia) have addressed instances of illegal fishing described by the United States in the 2009 report to Congress. These nations applied penalties to the vessels in question or adopted laws to strengthen control of their fishing fleets or both. Each has received a positive certification as a result of their actions.
The nations identified in the report had fishing vessels that did not comply with measures agreed to under various international fishery management organizations, such as closed fishing seasons, vessel registry lists, and a ban on the use of driftnets. Other violations included illegal gear modifications, fishing without authorization, and possession of undersized bluefin tuna.
Although Italy and Panama took corrective actions for illegal fishing identified in the 2009 report, other vessels from these countries still engaged in IUU fishing, which included illegal use of driftnets and fishing in an area when it was closed to purse seine nets.
If a nation fails to take appropriate action to address the instances of illegal fishing described in the report, that nation’s vessels may be denied entry into U.S. ports and the President may prohibit imports of certain fish products from that nation or take other measures.
According to NOAA, Annual global economic losses due to IUU fishing are estimated to be as high as $23 billion.
source: NOAA press release
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