Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing

FAO-IMO-ILO ad hoc Joint Working Group on IUU fishing and related matters

©FAO/Giulio Napolitano/FAO

Combatting IUU fishing, along with other illicit factors associated with fishing operations, requires inter-agency coordination, particularly through the implementation of relevant international agreements.

In this context, the FAO-IMO-ILO ad hoc Joint Working Group on IUU fishing and related matters was established as a result of the call made by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, which met in April 1999, highlighting the issue of flag and port State responsibilities and the need for FAO and IMO to cooperate on solving problems relating to IUU fishing.

Following the decision by the Governing Body of the ILO at its 335th session, the ILO also formally joined in 2019.

Specifically, the JWG discusses and makes recommendations to address:

  • IUU fishing;
  • maritime safety and security;
  • decent work in the fishing sector;
  • protection of the marine environment;
  • capacity development; and
  • other relevant topics.

Meetings:

Fifth meeting

Geneva, Switzerland – 8 – 12 January 2024

Meeting documents

Report

Fourth meeting

Torremolinos, Spain – 23 – 25 October 2019

Report

Third meeting

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – 16 – 18 November 2015

Report

Second meeting

Rome, Italy – 16 – 18 July 2007

Report

First meeting

Rome, Italy – 9 – 11 October 2000

Report