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11 jul 2012

14:44

European Union and Japan join forces against illegal fishing

The European Union and Japan are going to cooperate to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing - so called IUU fishing. A Joint Statement to this end has been signed today in Tokyo by Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Akira Gunji, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. The EU and Japan rank first and second, respectively, as the world’s top seafood importers.

They have now agreed that the seafood they import will not be caught illegally. Globally, IUU fishing deprives honest fishermen and coastal communities of up to $23 billion worth of seafood and seafood products annually. IUU fishing also threatens sustainability of fish stocks. With today’s agreement the EU and Japan commit themselves to work together on the most effective tools to combat illegal fishing.

As parties to regional fishery management organisations and to various international treaties, they will work towards strengthening monitoring and enforcement of management measures. They will also use the available means to prevent IUU operators from profiting from their illegal activities.

Today's agreement follows a similar statement signed by the EU and the United States in September last year. More information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/news_and_events/press_releases/2012/20120711/index_en.htm

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