Commissioner Karmenu Vella and minister Kim Young-choon after signing the joint statement. (Photo: EC)
EU and Korea join efforts to fight against IUU fishing
EUROPEAN UNION
Friday, October 19, 2018, 22:50 (GMT + 9)
The European Union and the Republic of Korea have pledged to jointly fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which represents a threat to sustainable fishing and to marine biodiversity in the world's oceans.
To settle this commitment, a statement was signed by European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella, and Kim Young-Choon, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea on the eve of a bilateral EU-Republic of Korea Summit.
"Putting an end to illegal fishing is one of the main objectives of the EU's international ocean governance agenda. By joining forces with the Republic of Korea, a world player in fisheries, we send a clear message to those breaking international law that there is no place for such products on our markets and we will continue to fight illegal fishing until we have fully eradicated it," pointed out Commissioner Vella.
With the new partnership, in line with the objectives of the EU's Ocean Governance strategy, the EU and the Republic of Korea commit to the following:
- Exchanging information about suspected IUU-activities;
- Enhancing global traceability of fishery products threatened by IUU fishing, through a risk-based, electronic catch documentation and certification system;
- Joining forces in supporting developing states in the fight against IUU fishing and the promotion of sustainable fishing through education and training;
- Strengthening cooperation in international fora, including regional fisheries management organisations.
The Republic of Korea is the fourth country with whom the EU signs a joint statement on IUU fishing, following the USA, Japan and Canada. Together, these five economies imported almost EUR 90 billion worth of fish and fisheries products in 2017.
Globally, IUU fishing is estimated to deprive coastal communities and honest fishermen of up to EUR 20 billion of seafood and seafood products per year.
In April 2015, the Commission lifted the yellow card adopted in 2013 to the Republic of Korea, recognising the country's efforts to bring its legal and administrative systems in line with the international standards. Since then, the Commission and the authorities of the Republic of Korea have continued their fruitful cooperation in a bilateral working group to address IUU fishing.
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