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 IUU fishing activities, one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems.
- 5th June 2024 marks the observance of the 7th International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing.
Origin of the Observance:
i.In 2015, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) proposed an initiative to declare an International Day for the Fight against IUU fishing.
- Following consultations, the proposal was presented to the 32nd session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries.
ii.The Committee endorsed the proposal, designating June 5th as the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing.
iii.The proposed draft resolution was submitted to the 40th Session of the FAO Conference in July 2017 for approval.
Background
i.In December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in its annual resolution on sustainable fisheries, proclaimed 5th June of every year as the “International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing.”
ii.The first-ever UN recognised International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing was observed on 5th June 2018.
Note: In the same resolution, the UN designated the year 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, to highlight the crucial role of small-scale fishermen and women, who comprise 90% of global fisheries.
Why 5 June?
June 5 commemorates the day when the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) officially entered into force as an international treaty in June 2016.
- It is the 1st international legally binding agreement dedicated specifically to combat IUU fishing.
About IUU Fishing:
“IUU fishing” refers to fishing and related activities that operate outside the law and undermine sustainable fisheries. IUU fishing is found in all types and dimensions of fisheries; it occurs both on the high seas and in areas within national jurisdiction.
i.Illegal Fishing: Finshing conducted by national or foreign vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of a State, without the permission of that State.
ii.Unreported Fishing: Fishing which has not been reported, or have been misreported, to the relevant national authority, in contravention of national laws and regulations.
iii.Unregulated Fishing: Fishing conducted by unregistered vessels or vessels without nationality, or not part of the RFMO (regional fisheries management organisation). It occurs in areas lacking conservation measures, violating international law.
Challenge of IUU Fishing:
i.IUU fishing undermines global efforts to sustain fisheries. It results in an annual loss of 11–26 million tonnes of fish, valued at USD 10–23 billion.
ii.It is estimated that 1 in every 5 fish caught, comes from IUU fishing.
iii.To curtail this impact, Target 4 of Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Agenda adopted in 2015 by the UN General Assembly.
About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
It is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
Director-General– QU Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
Founded – 1945
