IUU fishing

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity, undermines food security and destabilizes coastal economies. This chapter explains and classifies IUU fishing activities, examining international legal frameworks such as the 1995 Fish Stocks Agreement and the FAO’s International Plan of Action. It highlights the roles of Coastal State rights within the EEZ, Flag State responsibilities on the high seas, and port state measures as key enforcement tools. The discussion includes the mandates and effectiveness of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), their inspection methods and sanctions. It also emphasizes vessel monitoring systems, blacklists, catch documentation schemes and the importance of international cooperation for sharing intelligence and closing legal loopholes. Despite increased awareness and institutional efforts, the ongoing challenge of IUU fishing underscores the difficulty of policing vast maritime areas.