U.S. working group announces strategy for combating IUU fishing

Working group involving 21 federal agencies releases 5-year plan

The U.S. Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing, composed of 21 federal agencies, this week released its National 5-Year Strategy for Combating IUU Fishing. NOAA chairs the Working Group alongside the U.S Department of State and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the greatest threats to ocean health and a significant cause of overfishing, the agencies stated in a press release. IUU fishing contributes to the collapse or decline of fisheries that are critical to the economic growth, food systems and ecosystems around the world and also disadvantages law-abiding fishers and seafood producers.

The strategy is a result of years-long domestic and international collaboration and private sector and industry engagement. It makes progress towards combating IUU fishing globally and realizes a shared vision for sustainable stewardship of marine resources.

The strategy details U.S. priorities and plans over the next five years to combat IUU fishing and promote maritime security. It includes measures to increase governmental and regional capacity to implement and enforce domestic regulations and international rules and norms to mitigate the effects of IUU fishing. 

The Working Group will engage with five priority flag states – Ecuador, Panama, Senegal, Taiwan and Vietnam – to help in their ongoing efforts to combat IUU fishing and related threats. The strategy calls for agencies to leverage existing tools and innovate new technologies to improve global governance, conservation and management measures.

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