Cameroon has been identified by the European Commission as a non-cooperating country in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and has been issued with a so-called “red card”.
With immediate effect, EU member states will refuse the importation of fishery products from Cameroon even when accompanied by catch certificates validated by the national authorities.
“Sustainable fisheries and better ocean governance go hand in hand and the Commission is firmly committed to both. We have zero tolerance for IUU fishing and therefore the Commission has acted strongly today by giving Cameroon a red card. We remain ready to continue our dialogue with Cameroon in order to address the threats that IUU fishing poses to the sustainability of fish stocks, coastal communities, food security and the livelihoods of fishermen and women who follow the rules,” EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said.
The Commission’s decision is based on the EU’s IUU Regulation, which ensures that only legally-caught fisheries products can access the EU market.
Cameroon’s listing is based on the persistence of serious shortcomings that were outlined in a notification adopted in February 2021 which already warned of the possibility to identify Cameroon as a non-cooperating country. In particular, it is based on the failure of Cameroonian authorities to ensure adequate control over the national fishing fleet and to take necessary corrective measures for the cessation and prevention of IUU fishing activities.
Cameroon has continued registering fishing vessels that operate outside its waters, including an IUU fishing vessel, while there is a lack of monitoring of their activities.
By pursuing the European Green Deal as well as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resource, the Commission applies a zero-tolerance approach towards IUU fishing.
Among its actions, the Commission cooperates with third-countries in view of improving fisheries governance and ensuring that all States abide by their international obligations.
The Commission advises it will continue its dialogue with Cameroonian authorities to help the country address the identified shortcomings.
The EU has made the right decision, according to NGO the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), with Cameroon’s flag being used as a flag of convenience by those fishing illegally, unsustainably and unethically.
“The decision by the European Commission to impose a red card on Cameroon is regrettable, but absolutely the right one given the circumstances,” EJF’s CEO and Founder Steve Trent said.
“The significant number of large foreign trawlers which have begun flying Cameroon’s flag have brought no real benefit to Cameroon. They have little to no Cameroonian ownership, do not land fish at the country’s ports, and do not appear to employ Cameroonian fishers. All they offer is serious harm to Cameroon’s reputation, alongside a greater risk of illegal fishing and human rights abuses around the world.”
Research undertaken by EJF last year found that 55% of the vessels in Cameroon’s fleet were added in the prior five years. Even more strikingly, these vessels make up 90% of the total tonnage of the fleet, and 94% of the new vessels are owned by foreign, not Cameroonian, interests. Almost all operate outside Cameroon’s waters.
This, said EJF, means there has been an explosion in the number of large foreign-owned vessels, some of which appear on illegal fishing registers, flying the flag of Cameroon around the world.
“Cameroon’s government has taken action in recent years to improve transparency and tackle illegal fishing. I have seen this first-hand, as EJF works in partnership with the Cameroonian authorities to improve fisheries governance and ensure a more sustainable ocean. However, the danger of becoming a safe haven for illegal fishers risks undermining the progress made. Cameroon can and should use the momentum of this red card to drive ambitious, lasting reform, making sure that only legal, ethical and sustainable fishing takes place under its flag,” Trent said.
Since November 2012, the European Commission has entered in formal dialogues with 26 third countries, with which it officially warned them of the need to take effective action to fight IUU fishing. In most cases, progress was observed and therefore the Commission could satisfactorily close the formal dialogue phase and lift the decisions taken.
Only a few countries have not shown the necessary commitment and did not take measures to rectify the identified shortcomings.
The EU’s contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda is to end IUU fishing and to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resources.
IUU fishing’s global value is estimated at €10-20 billion per year. Between 11 and 26 million tonnes of fish are caught illegally every year, corresponding to at least 15% of world catches.
