The EU IUU Fishing Coalition welcomes the publication of the European Commission’s Ocean Pact, which was unveiled on 5 June ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. However, its success will depend entirely on how urgently and effectively its commitments are implemented. In particular, it is crucial to address some key and long-standing structural […]
Read MoreThe European Union has long championed sustainable and equitable practices in its fishing partnerships worldwide, particularly through Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs). These agreements allow EU vessels to fish in the waters of non-EU countries in exchange for financial and technical support, aiming to ensure sustainable fishing practices while promoting economic development in partner nations. […]
Read MoreThe individuals profiting from illegal fishing and human rights abuses at sea regularly use ‘Flags of Non Compliance’ (FONCs), more commonly known as Flags of Convenience (FOCs) to evade scrutiny and sanction for their crimes. On 12th June 2025, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), members of the EU IUU Fishing Coalition convened […]
Read MoreThe FAO Global Record is a key transparency tool helping to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Designed to provide vessel information that helps verify legitimacy and trace ownership, it also supports implementation of key international agreements which are specifically designed to combat IUU fishing, such as the Port State Measures Agreement. The IUU […]
Read MoreOn 30th April 2025, at the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan, the EU IUU Fishing Coalition convened a high-level side event — From Ocean to Plate: The Role of Technology and Harmonisation in Ensuring Seafood Traceability and Fighting Against IUU Fishing — bringing together government representatives, civil society, and international experts from across the […]
Read MoreIllegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to threaten our ocean, the livelihoods of coastal communities, and the integrity of global seafood markets. But momentum is building to strengthen catch documentation schemes that prevent illegal seafood products from entering global markets, like the EU, the US, Japan and the Republic of Korea. A new report […]
Read MoreVarious political parties and stakeholder groups jointly emphasised the importance for the new EU institutions to lead the way in ramping-up the global fight against IUU fishing. Better implementation of the existing EU legal framework will be key to achieving the Commission’s zero-tolerance ambition towards IUU, levelling the playing field for EU fishers, and to […]
Read MoreLast week, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen published mission letters for her incoming cabinet of Commissioners, outlining their priorities. Here its our reaction to the mission letter for EU IUU Fishing Coalition’s Reaction to the Mission Letter for Costas Kadis, Fisheries and Ocean Commissioner Costas Kadis, Fisheries and Ocean Commissioner. What […]
Read MoreIllegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of law abiding fishers and coastal communities worldwide. Yet, identifying the true beneficiaries of fishing vessels engaged in these activities (beneficial owners) is not an easy task. The opaque nature of the global fisheries sector often allows beneficial owners […]
Read MoreIn the vast expanse of the ocean, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, sustainable fisheries management, food security and livelihoods in coastal communities worldwide. Obscured ownership structures can facilitate the true perpetrators from not being held to account for such illicit practices. Tackling IUU fishing requires a clear […]
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