The EC works with international partners to combat IUU fishing. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)

EC issues yellow cards to Taiwan and Comoros over illegal fishing

EUROPEAN UNION
Thursday, October 01, 2015, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

The European Commission (EC) has confirmed its zero tolerance policy against illegal fishing worldwide by warning the Comoros and Taiwan that they risk being identified as uncooperative countries in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

At the same time, the EC is lifting the yellow cards from Ghana and Papua New Guinea, which have significantly reformed their fisheries governance system. The Commission also adopted a Communication on the key achievements of the IUU Regulation in the first five years of its enforcement.

The EC highlights that IUU fishing is a major threat to global marine resources as overfishing destroys the livelihoods of many communities who depend on fisheries. It is estimated that between 11 and 26 million tonnes of fish are caught illegally a year, corresponding to at least 15 per cent of world catches. Its global value reaches up to EUR 10 billion per year.

European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, said: “Today's decisions demonstrate the determination of the European Union to bring important players on board in the fight against IUU fishing. Both Ghana and Papua New Guinea have taken ownership of their fisheries reforms and now have robust legal and policy frameworks in place to fight IUU fishing activities. I am calling on the authorities of the Comoros and Taiwan to follow their example and join the European Union in promoting legal and sustainable fisheries worldwide.”

The decision to issue a yellow card to Taiwan is based on serious shortcomings in the fisheries legal framework, a system of sanctions that does not deter IUU fishing, and lack of effective monitoring, control and surveillance of the long-distance fleet. Furthermore Taiwan does not systematically comply with Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) obligations.

The Comoros have partly delegated the management of their fleet register to a private company located offshore. This fishing fleet operates in breach of Comorian law and is not monitored by the Comorian authorities. Further shortcomings exist in the country's legal framework, their system of sanctions, the management of fisheries resources, and in monitoring, controlling and surveillance.

The Commission has proposed a tailor-made action plan and given the Comoros and Taiwan six months to resolve the identified issues. If the shortcomings are not addressed within six months, the EU could consider trade sanctions on fisheries imports. Fisheries exports to the EU from Taiwan amount to EUR 13 million yearly.

As Ghana and Papua New Guinea join the growing list of countries (Korea, the Philippines, Fiji, Belize, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu) that have reformed their systems, following a warning by the EU, the Commission looks forward to working with these international partners against IUU fishing.

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print