A new EU regulation, coming into force on 1 January 2010, aims to prevent, deter and eliminate the practice of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by enhancing the European Community's action against this serious problem.
IUU fishing remains the biggest global threat to the sustainable management of fish stocks. A recent UK study estimated that IUU fishing costs between $9 billion and $24 billion, across the world each year - equivalent to nearly 20% of the worldwide reported value of catches. The EU is the largest market for, and importer of fisheries products in the world, and therefore a major target for IUU operators. It is estimated that the Community imports around €1.1 billion of illegal fish products each year, often at prices that undercut the legitimate trade.
The Regulation will create new requirements for imports of fish and fisheries products entering the EU market from outside the Community. Catch certificates, to verify that fish are caught legally, must be issued by the flag state of the catching vessel. These documents must accompany the fishery product throughout the supply chain, and will be required on entry into the EU.
The implementation of the Regulation is being led by Defra, working with other Government departments and agencies including the Marine and Fisheries Agency, Port Health Authorities, HM Revenue and Customs, and Fisheries Authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Defra has published an information note setting out the requirements of the new Regulation, which can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/marine/fisheries/conservation/illegal.htm.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 69, Summer 2009
