Key Highlights
- June 5 serves as the global rallying point against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, underscoring the urgency of safeguarding marine resources and economies.
- The date marks the ninth anniversary of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a treaty now embraced by two‑thirds of world coastlines, including newly‑adopted members such as the Marshall Islands.
- Annual studies reveal that IUU activities rob fisheries of 11 – 26 million tonnes of catch, translating to a $10 – 23 billion annual economic hit.
- One out of every five fish sold worldwide originates from IUU operations, highlighting the pervasiveness of the issue.
- Strong international cooperation, reinforced by the PSMA, is pivotal for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14, especially its target to eliminate IUU fishing by 2020.
Detailed Insights
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing—collectively termed IUU—encompasses any capture done without legal authorization, without proper notification, or by vessels operating outside the jurisdiction of any sovereign authority. These practices thrive both in the high seas and within territorial waters, undermining the sustainability of fish stocks and the livelihoods that depend on them.
In 1995 the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) promulgated the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries as a voluntary framework for the prudent exploitation of marine resources. The turning point came in 2009 when the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) was adopted as the first binding instrument obligating nations to impose port‑side controls, thereby preventing the trade of illegally caught fish.
Effective from 5 June 2016, the PSMA has obliged a growing cohort of coast‑state signatories to establish systematic audits, flag vessels, and enforce bans against ships suspected of IUU activity. Its legal backing amplifies the global capacity to monitor fishing fleets and safeguard markets from black‑market flows.
The overarching goals of these initiatives are threefold: eradicating IUU fishing, strengthening food security by ensuring a steady supply of legally sourced fish, and preserving the environmental balance of marine ecosystems for future generations. By protecting artisanal and small‑scale fishers—who represent 90 % of employment in the industry—these measures also contribute to social equity and inclusive development.
These measures were first proposed by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean in 2015, adopted by FAO’s Committee on Fisheries, and formally endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2017. They align with Sustainable Development Goal 14, particularly Target 14.4, which envisions the complete eradication of IUU fishing by the year 2020.
The global impact of IUU fishing is profound: it erodes marine biodiversity, destabilises the livelihoods of coastal communities, fuels illicit trade, and hampers the resilience of fisheries against climate change. Heightened awareness and informed consumer choices are essential countermeasures that can curb demand for non‑sustainable seafood.
Key Concepts
- IUU Fishing – Any marine capture conducted without authorization, unreported to authorities, or beyond the regulatory purview of any national jurisdiction.
- Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) – An international treaty obligating port states to enforce inspections, impose sanctions, and stop the admission of fish caught through illegal, unreported, or unregulated means.
- FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries – A voluntary set of guidelines issued in 1995 aimed at promoting environmentally sound and socially equitable fishing practices worldwide.
- Sustainable Development Goal 14.4 – A target under SDG 14 committing the international community to eliminate IUU fishing by 2020 and to secure marine conservation.
- Marine Biodiversity – The variety of species, ecosystems and genetic diversity that constitute ocean life, whose loss is exacerbated by unsustainable fishing.