SUMMIT COUNTY — More than 50 countries have taken a small step to combat unreported, unregulated and illegal fishing that is decimating numerous species of commercially important species like tuna. Illegal fishing results in $23 billion in economic losses each year.
Better enforcement of fishing regulations, together with ound science and effective management are essential to the sustainability of these wide-ranging species that are highly valued in commercial and recreational fisheries.
“Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing undermines the sustainability of fisheries and the ability of fishermen who abide by the rules to make a decent living,” NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco said in a press release. “Sharing information on IUU vessels across oceans will strengthen enforcement and prevent legal and sustainable fishing operations from being disadvantaged in the global marketplace.”
Under the agreement, nations that make up the five regional fishery management organizations managing highly migratory species in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans and adjacent seas will share information about illegal fishing vessels. Regional fishery management rules require their member nations to prevent illegal fishing in their regions. Sharing information across regions means vessels previously listed in only one region would have more difficulty avoiding detection by moving to another region.