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Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) is a major global fisheries problem. It compromises fisheries management, deprives legitimate fishermen of sustainable harvests, and disproportionately impacts on developing countries’ economies and food supplies.

We will incorporate a UK IUU co-ordinating unit that will work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and delivery partners in port health authorities, local authority enforcement officers and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to prevent IUU imports to the UK. The IUU co-ordinating unit will also:

  • co-ordinate all official international enforcement requests through the UK IUU Single Liaison Office
  • administer the UK IUU Catch Certificate Centre for validation of UK catches exported to third countries
  • work closely with national administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on IUU matters
  • liaise with national administrations and port offices on port state control of third country fishing vessels and control of the UK distant water fleet
  • develop cross-government and international networking to support and promote the UK anti-IUU leadership role
  • conduct enquiries and investigations on UK importers and nationals potentially involved in IUU fishing.

The EU is the largest sea food importer in the world and is a prime target for IUU fish. To counter this trade new EU regulations will prevent access for IUU fish to EU markets. Flag states of the catching vessels will validate EU catch certificates which prove that the fish was caught legally. These certificates must be presented at the EU border for checking and may be subject to additional verification before imports can be allowed.