The United States Coast Guard has released a new strategy to enhance global maritime safety, security, and stewardship by combatting Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
This IUU Fishing Strategic Outlook reflects the Coast Guard’s commitment to leading an international effort to combat illegal exploitation of the ocean’s fish stocks and protect national interests. The Coast Guard said it will continue to lead global efforts to build a multilateral coalition to detect and deter IUU fishing on the high seas and in the exclusive economic zones of partner nations in order to disrupt the corrupt cycle of influence that enables illegal operations.
"The Coast Guard’s IUU Fishing Strategic Outlook outlines the Service’s efforts to combat the scourge of IUU fishing over the next decade. We are committed to working with our allies and like-minded partners to strengthen the international fisheries enforcement regime and counter this pervasive threat," said Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard. "As a recognized world leader in maritime safety, security and environmental stewardship, the Coast Guard has a responsibility to help build a coalition of partners willing to identify and address IUU fishing bad actors and model responsible global maritime behaviour."
IUU fishing is a collection of dishonest fishing practices, both on the high seas and in areas within national jurisdiction, that threatens global geo-political security and prosperity and weakens rules-based order; especially as the worldwide demand for fish as a protein source continues to grow.
