Tuvalu is a group of nine tiny islands in the South Pacific, which won independence from the United Kingdom in 1978.
European Commission withdraws yellow card from Tuvalu
EUROPEAN UNION
Saturday, July 21, 2018, 02:30 (GMT + 9)
The European Commission has lifted the yellow card it had issued for Tuvalu as acknowledgement of the important progress this Polynesian island nation has made in addressing the shortcomings in its fisheries governance.
European Commissioner for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries Karmenu Vella stressed the economic importance for the small island developing state to manage its resources in a way that ensures the prosperity and future for its fishing community.
“Therefore, I want to congratulate Tuvalu for the progress made and I am pleased that we have now become real partners in the fight against illegal fishing (IUU). This positive development demonstrates that the EU approach is working,” Vella added.
The European Commission warned Tuvalu in December 2014 of the risk of being considered as a “non-cooperating country”. Fisheries products caught by vessels from these countries cannot be imported into the EU. Through the dialogue that has started with the yellow card, the EU has been able to help Tuvalu combat illegal fishing.
Meanwhile, the country has amended its fisheries legal framework in line with international law of the sea instruments, thus reinforcing compliance with flag, port, coastal and market state obligations. It has also included clear definitions and a deterrent regime of sanctions.
Furthermore, Tuvalu has updated its system for management of fishing resources following the best scientific advice and precautionary approach practices and has complied with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission conservation and management measures.
Finally, it has reinforced its monitoring, control and surveillance systems including the reinforcement of patrol capacity and inspections at port, strengthened staff capacity for control, inspection and observation, and accepted cooperation with countries whose vessels operate in Tuvalu' waters by granting access to Vessels Day Scheme information.
The European Commission considers with the newly adopted measures, Tuvalu authorities have all the necessary policy means to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing.
The global value of IUU fishing is estimated at EUR 10 billion per year. Between 11 and 26 million tonnes of fish are caught illegally every year, corresponding to at least 15 per cent of world catches.
The European executive recalls that as the world's biggest importer of fisheries products, the EU has significant leverage to drive global change.
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media
|