The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is observed annually across the globe on 5th June to raise awareness about the threats posed by IUU fishing activities that undermine sustainable fisheries.
- 5th June 2025 marks the observance of the 8th International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing.
- The day is organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN.
Background:
i.In 2015, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) under the UN’s FAO proposed declaring an international day against IUU fishing to highlight its importance.
- The FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) endorsed this initiative in its 32nd session.
- The draft resolution was submitted for approval at the 40th Session of the FAO Conference held in July 2017.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) formally adopted the resolution A/RES/72/72 in December 2017, proclaiming 5 June as the International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing.
- The same resolution designated 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, spotlighting small-scale fishers who make up 90% of the global fisheries workforce.
iii.The International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing was first observed on 5th June 2018.
Why 5 June?
June 5 marks the date when the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) officially came into force as an international treaty on 5th June 2016.
- It is the first legally binding global agreement specifically aimed at combating IUU fishing.
About IUU Fishing:
IUU fishing refers to unlawful fishing activities, such as operating without permits, failing to report catches, or fishing in restricted areas, that occur across all types of fisheries, both in national waters and on the high seas, undermining sustainable fisheries management.
i.Illegal fishing: Fishing carried out by national or foreign vessels in a country’s waters without permission or in violation of national laws and regulations.
ii.Unreported fishing: Fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to the relevant national authority or Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO), in breach of existing legal requirements.
iii.Unregulated fishing: Fishing done by vessels that are not registered, have no nationality, or belong to countries not part of the RFMO. It usually takes place in areas where there are no proper conservation rules, thereby violating international norms.
Key Facts:
i.Approximately 1 in every 5 fish caught worldwide results from IUU fishing.
ii.An estimated 26 million tonnes(Mt) of fish (about one-seventh of global fish production) are illegally caught each year, valued at nearly USD 24 billion.
iii.The FAO estimates IUU fishing causes an annual loss of 11-26 million tonnes (MT) of fish, valued at USD 10-23 billion.
Global Efforts:
i.To combat IUU fishing, the FAO promotes the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Port State Measures Agreement.
ii.Effective information exchange systems like the PSMA Global Information Exchange System (GIES) support enforcement efforts.
iii.In June 2022, the World Trade Organization (WTO) banned subsidies fueling IUU fishing.
About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
FAO is a United Nations agency that works globally to end hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
Director General (DG) – Dr. Qu Dongyu
Headquarters – Rome, Italy
Established – 1945
