Mexico and Ecuador have been identified in a NOAA Fisheries publication for reported IUU fishing activities, despite taking corrective action after being named in a 2017 NOAA report.
2019’s ‘Improving International Fisheries Management’ Report to US Congress identified nations engaged in IUU fishing and NOAA’s certification determinations of nations previously identified for these activities from the 2017 Report.
The report stated that Mexico and Ecuador have again been reported for IUU fishing activities occurring in 2016-2018, even though these countries took steps to improve fishing practises after the 2017 report, which resulted in a positive certification decision for each country from the US.
NOAA said: “IUU fishing activities damage our economy, hurt fishermen who play by the rules, threaten global food security, and rob future generations of precious ocean resources.”
2019’s report also stated that the Republic of Korea is identified for reported IUU fishing activities. The report also highlights several areas of concern involving China.
The US will hold consultations with the identified nations to encourage them to take action to address IUU activities. In the 2021 Report to Congress, the US will issue new identifications, as well as certification decisions for the nations identified in 2019.
The Russian Federation was also identified in the 2017 Report and took corrective action for a positive certification decision from the US.
The report is an important part of NOAA Fisheries’ work to improve global fisheries management, support the effective management of protected species and shark catch on the high seas; and ensure that legal, sustainable fisheries are not disadvantaged.
