Combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) has taken a big step forward with the adoption of a set of international guidelines that allow states greater responsibility for the activities of fishing vessels flying their flag, reported

The FAO Voluntary Guidelines for flag State performance described a series of measures that countries can take to ensure that vessels registered under its flag do not conduct IUU fishing, one of the greatest threats to sustainable fisheries and related livelihoods.

Although the guidelines are voluntary, its adoption by the members of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), currently meeting in Rome, is a clear indication of the intention of the countries acceding to a shared set of standards for the performance flag State.

The result of several years of negotiations, the guidelines now have a broad level of commitment and international support.

It is believed that IUU fishing has intensified in the past 20 years, especially offshore, and it is estimated that currently amounts to between 11 and 26 million tons of fish illegally caught each year, worth between US $ 10,000 million and US $ 23,000 million.

"Today's decision represents a hugely important step in the fight against IUU fishing, which not only threatens marine ecosystems, but undermines any efforts undertaken at national, regional or international level to manage fisheries in a sustainable manner" said Arni Mathiesen, Deputy Director General of FAO and responsible for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

He said the measures adopted seek to block the flow of illegal catches in international markets.
"These guidelines provide a powerful tool to combat IUU fishing in the coming decades," said Mathiesen.

End to flag changes
A flag State refers to any country, whether coastal or land-locked, which records a fishing vessel and allowed to fly its flag.

Flag States are already obliged to keep a register of its ships along with information about their authorization to fish, including the species and the type of gear they can use.

However, many fishing vessels engaged in illegal activities elude control measures by "reflagging" repeatedly recorded under the flag of new states to evade detection, undermining efforts to combat IUU fishing.

The FAO Voluntary Guidelines seek to end this practice, inter alia, by promoting greater cooperation and information exchange between countries, so that flag States are able to refuse registration of vessels

The guidelines also provide recommendations on how countries can promote are met and take action against the failure of the ships, as well as how to enhance international cooperation to assist developing countries to assume their responsibilities as state pavilion.

FUENTE: Gestion.pe