About the event:

The 32^nd Session of the Committee on Fisheries endorsed the proposal for the Declaration of the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (ID-IUU), taking into account the entry into force, on 5 June 2016, of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, adopted by FAO in 2009. The entry into force of this agreement marks an historical event, in that it is the first international legally-binding instrument specifically devoted to the fight against IUU fishing. Furthermore, the FAO is the custodian organization for many SDG indicators and is directly contributing to SDG 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development). As this indicator vows, among others, to end IUU fishing, the FAO is expected to promote knowledge and raise awareness at all levels, including civil society and general public, on the threats posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to the conservation and sustainable use of fisheries.

The proposal to declare 5 June as an International Day for the IUU Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (ID-IUU) was unanimously endorsed by the 155th Session of the FAO Council held in December 2016 and by the 40th Session of the FAO Conference held in July 2017. On 5 December 2017 the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly adopted the annual resolution on sustainable fisheries, proclaiming 5 June as the ID-IUU and invited FAO to serve as lead agency.

The event will be conducted in the form of a panel discussion consisting of speakers who will present the background of the ID-IUU and provide examples of the fight against IUU fishing.   The Secretariat will also provide proposals on further activities for ID-IUU.   The panel presentation will be followed by an interactive discussion between panel members and the audience.

The event will be webcast and decentralized offices will be connected via a video link.

Objective/expected outcome:

The objective of the side event is: (1) to observe the 1^st ID-IUU, (2) share the experiences of the fight against IUU fishing in different regions and (3) discuss potential future activities for ID-IUU.  

The expected outcome of the event is a better understanding by participants of the background and nature of the ID-IUU, the efforts already made in order to fight against IUU fishing and identify the further action to be taken.

Delegates and observers to the 159th Session of the FAO Council, Permanent Representations, diplomatic corps and Rome-based Agencies, and FAO staff.

Responsible office:

Mr Audun Lem (FIAX)

Timetable and Agenda:

Languages:

English, French, Spanish

Related link:

http://www.fao.org/iuu-fishing/fight-iuu-fishing/en/ 

Webcast link:

http://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/4752/icode/ 

Twitter hashtag:

#CL159 #FightIUUFishing