Promotion of measures to avert entry of fish and fishery products from IUU fishing into the supply chain

Abstract

The increasing demand for fish has driven fishers to catch more fish by all means even to the extent of practicing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It has been well reported that IUU fishing not only contributes to overexploitation of fish stocks but is also a hindrance to the recovery of fish populations and ecosystems. IUU fishing not only damages the marine environment but also distorts competition and puts those fishers who operate legally at a disadvantage, adversely affecting the economic and social well-being of fishing communities, especially in the third world countries where coastal communities rely heavily on fish resources. On the global scale, IUU fishing is a big problem and is difficult to quantify, and can occur in virtually any fisheries, i.e. in shallow coastal or inland waters or even in offshore areas. It is a particular issue in developing countries including the Southeast Asian countries where fisheries management strategies need to be strengthened, and where resources for landing controls and vessel inspections, and number of patrol vessels are limited to enforce the necessary regulations.