Understanding IUU Fishing

kelolalaut.com - IUU Fishing or Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing is a board term that captures a wide variety of fishing activity. This activity can be found in all type and dimensions of fisheries, it can happen in both on the high seas and in areas within national jurisdiction. The impact of IUU Fishing is concerning in all aspects and stages of the capture and utilisation of fish, and it may sometimes be associated with organized crime. 

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Illegal Fishing refers to fishing activities conducted in contravention of applicable laws and regulations, including those laws and rules adopted at the regional and international level. This activity happens when vessels or harvesters operate violate of the laws of a fishery. This can apply to fisheries that are under the jurisdiction of a coastal state or to high seas fisheries regulated by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO).

Unreported Fishing is fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities in contravention of national laws and regulations or reporting procedures of a relevant RFMO.

Unregulated Fishing is fishing activities that occurs in areas or for fish stocks for which there are no applicable conservation or management measure. Fishing activities are also unregulated when occurring in RFMO-managed area and conducted by vessels without nationality or harvesting in unregulated areas.

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IUU Fishing undermines national and regional efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks, and as a consequence, it inhibits progress toward achieving the goals of long-term sustainability and responsibility. Moreover, IUU Fishing cause greatly disadvantages and discriminates against those fishers that act responsibly, honestly and in accordance with the terms of their fishing authorizations.

Fisheries resources available to bona fide fishers are removed because of IUU Fishing, which can lead to the collapse of local fisheries with small-scale fisheries in developing countries proving particularly vulnerable. The products that came from these activities still can find a way into overseas trade markets, therefore IUU Fishing are a threat to livelihoods, increase poverty, and augments food insecurity.

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