FAO today reported that a large number of nations participating at the 27 FAO COFI – meeting in Rome 5 – 9 March, agreed to start working on an international protocol with the purpose of creating binding control measures in landing harbours, or harbours where fish products are redistributed or processed, in order to combat IUU fishing.
Further consultation will be held during 2007 and 2008 with the intention of producing a draft agreement, which will be presented to COFI for its final approval at the next meeting in 2009.
The planned agreement will be based on a proposal from FAO which brings up recommended harbour control measures. The purpose with the agreement is to discourage illegal fishing activities. The measures include background control of all vessels before they are allowed harbour entrance, and inspections of vessels to scrutinise documentation, cargo, and gear.
“The priorities adopted by the FAO Committee for the next two years are very much in line with our own international agenda. This is particularly the case with regard to the importance we attach to combating Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing and on protecting the marine environment on the high seas. The support of the international community for this task validates our strategy as one which can bring states together, and as such achieve real progress in ensuring concerted action in relation to international law in these crucial areas.” , says Joe Borg European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.
Other Issues on the Agenda
Other issues discussed at the meeting were responsible fish trade, sustainable aquaculture, socioeconomic problems in areas dependent on fishing, the implementation of an ecosystem based approach, and the strengthening of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, as well as Regional Fisheries Bodies.
The meeting concluded that future FAO work will cover many aspects of fisheries, such as:
- Drawing up technical guidelines for the most appropriate deep sea fishing methods.
- Create guidelines for the use of Marine Protected Areas in order to achieve better fisheries management, maintaining biodiversity, and increase fish production.
- Carry through a thorough study of the possible effects of climate change on fisheries, to facilitate the design of necessary action programmes.
- Assemble an international conference focussing on the specific problems and needs of small scale fisheries which occupy approximately 34 million people in the developing world.
The International Collective of Fish Workers (ICSF) raised their concerns regarding harmful fisheries subsidies at the meeting. The statement said that fisheries subsidies should be confined to promoting responsible and selective artisanal and small-scale fisheries that would enhance livelihood and food security, and would contribute to poverty reduction and development of marine coastal communities. “Fisheries subsidies should, however, be strongly discouraged from being employed to promote destructive and non-selective fishing gear and practices both in the small- and large-scale sub-sectors”
IUU recognised as a severe problem among member states
Many countries participating in COFI described their struggle against IUU fishing as highly prioritised because of its harmful economical, environmental, or social consequences. Many member states of FAO reported national or regional progress, but most of them admitted that IUU fishing continues to be a severe problem despite significant efforts.
A group of small scale fishers from East and West Africa, participating in COFI, described the impacts of IUU fishing on their societies during a parallel event, organised by Greenpeace and Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA).