FAO Fisheries Report No. 767               FIPL/R767 (En)

GENERAL FISHERIES COMMISSION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN

Report of the
GFCM WORKSHOP ON ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED FISHING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Rome, 23 and 26 June 2004

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2005

Table of Contents

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

FAO/General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean.
Report of the GFCM Workshop on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in the Mediterranean. Rome, 23 and 26 June 2004.
FAO Fisheries Report. No. 767. Rome, FAO. 2005. 80p.

ABSTRACT

The evolving management role of regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), as agreed in recent international fisheries instruments, is set out, together with agreed provisions relating to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Issues common to IUU fishing and management of fishing capacity are described, especially as contained in the International Plans of Action (IPOAs) relating to these areas.

The status and implementation of the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU) in the Mediterranean is described, referring to: the contexts in which IUU fishing has been addressed by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM); adoption of national plans of action (NPOAs) on IUU fishing by GFCM Members; and adoption by the European Union (EU) Fisheries Council of conclusions on IUU fishing.

Many RFMOs have been active in implementing the IPOA-IUU, and their decisions, actions and measures are described.

Possible options for implementing the IPOA-IUU in the Mediterranean are identified, noting some features of existing fisheries management relating to IUU fishing. The features include the diverse national legal frameworks, activities in the subregions covered by the CopeMed and AdriaMed projects and monitoring, control and surveillance in the region. A possible process and considerations for implementation of the IPOA-IUU by GFCM is described, and in conclusion the potential effects on fisheries management are noted.