A U.S. government agency has identified six nations, including France and Italy, as practising IUU fishing, a process that may finally lead to denied entry into U.S. ports and prohibited imports of fish products from that nation.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in a first-ever report to the US Congress that fishing vessels from France, Italy, Libya, Panama, the People’s Republic of China and Tunisia were engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in 2007 or 2008. This opens the way for consultations between the U.S. government and officials of each of the six nations to encourage them to take corrective action to stop IUU fishing by their vessels. Following consultations, NOAA will formally certify each of the six nations either as adopting effective measures to stop IUU fishing, or having vessels engaged in IUU fishing.
If a nation is accordingly found to be engaged in IUU fishing, that nation’s vessels may be denied entry into U.S. ports and the president may prohibit imports of certain fish products from that nation or take other measures.
“Illegal fishing is a global problem that is depleting fish stocks and hurting the economies of nations and the livelihoods of people who depend on sustainable fishing,” said Dr. Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “Our report is part of stepped up efforts called for by Congress to work with other nations to stop illegal fishing on shared fish stocks.”