Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) is a broad term that encompasses a wide variety of fishing activities. IUU fishing exists in all types and dimensions of fishing, occurs both on the high seas and in areas under national jurisdiction, affects all aspects and stages of the capture and use of fish, and can sometimes be associated with the organized crime. The IPOA-IUU Fishing broadly refers to activities classified as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as follows:
Illegal fishing:
- carried out by national or foreign vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of a State, without its permission or in contravention of its legislation;
- conducted by vessels flying the flag of States that are parties to a competent regional fisheries management organization , but are operating in contravention of conservation and management measures adopted by that organization and under which States are bound, or relevant provisions of the applicable international law; either
- in violation of national laws or international obligations, including those entered into by cooperating States with respect to a competent regional fisheries management organization.
Unreported fishing:
- that it has not been declared, or has been inaccurately declared, to the competent national authority, in contravention of national legislation; either
- carried out in the area of competence of a competent regional fisheries management organization, which has not been declared or has been inaccurately declared, in contravention of the declaration procedures of that organization.
Unregulated fishing:
carried out in the area of application of a competent regional fisheries management organization by vessels without nationality, or flying the flag of a State that is not a party to that organization, or by a fishing entity, in a manner that is not in accordance with the conservation and management measures of said organization, or that contravenes them; either
- carried out in areas or in relation to fish stocks in respect of which there are no applicable conservation or management measures and in which these fishing activities are carried out in a manner that is not consistent with the responsibilities of the State with respect to to the conservation of living marine resources under international law.
IUU fishing undermines national and regional efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks and, as a consequence, limits progress towards meeting long-term sustainability and accountability goals. On the other hand, IUU fishing represents a great disadvantage and discrimination for fishermen who act responsibly, honestly and in accordance with the conditions of their fishing authorizations. If IUU fishermen exploit vulnerable stocks subject to strict management controls or moratoria, these stocks will not be restored to healthy levels, threatening marine biodiversity,
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