The United Nations(UN)’s International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is annually observed across the globe on 5th June to address the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.
- 5th June 2023 marks the observance of the 6th International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing.
Background:
i.In 2015, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO) proposed an initiative to declare an International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.
ii.During the 40th Session of the FAO Conference, held in Rome, Italy, in July 2017, the resolution entitled “Observance of the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing” was adopted.
iii.In December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/72/72 and proclaimed the 5th June of every year as “International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing”.
- The first-ever International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing was observed on 5th June 2018.
Note: The resolution also declared the year 2022 as the “ International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture”.
Why June 5?
The date 5th June marks the day when the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) officially entered into force as an international treaty. The PSMA entered into force on 5th June 2016.
- It was the 1st international legally-binding instrument specifically devoted to the fight against IUU fishing.
What is IUU Fishing?
Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a broad term that captures a wide variety of fishing activity.
i.Illegal Fishing refers to fishing activities conducted by foreign vessels without permission in waters under the jurisdiction of another state.
- Illegal fishing is a key driver of global overfishing, it threatens marine ecosystems, puts food security and regional stability at risk.
ii.Unreported fishing refers to fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities in contravention of national laws
iii.Unregulated Fishing refers to fishing activities in areas where there are no applicable management measures to regulate the catch
Key Points:
i.Globally, the IUU fishing activities are responsible for the loss of around 11 to 26 million tonnes of fish each year. It is estimated to have an economic value of USD 10 to 23 billion.
ii.IUU fishing undermines national and regional efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life below Water:
Target 14.4 aims to end overfishing, illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and destructive fishing practices.
Target 14.6 aimed to prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing and eliminate subsidies that contribute to IUU fishing by 2020.
About Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO):
Director-General– Qu Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
