More than thirty nations lack effective regulation to protect marine life and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, according to a recent report by NOAA.
The 2021 Biennial Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management has identified 31 nations whose conservation measures fall short of those in the US, including Mexico meaning that the country may face import restrictions on fish and seafood.
“As one of the largest importers of seafood in the world, the United States has a global responsibility and an economic duty to ensure that the fish and fish products we import are caught sustainably and legally,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, and acting assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy NOAA administrator.
“IUU fishing undermines US fishermen who operate under the strongest fishery management practices and conservation laws, and NOAA will use every tool to make sure all nations follow the same rules,” she added.
The report identifies China, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Senegal and Taiwan as having vessels engaged in IUU fishing activities during 2018-2020 with a further 29, including the European Union, identified as being poorer at regulating against harmful bycatch than the US.
NOAA lists key ways to improve fisheries management, for example, by developing laws and best practice to combat IUU fishing, supporting the effective management of protected species and ensuring a fair market for the US fishing industry.
