Brussels, 08/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - The committee of member states' permanent representatives to the EU, Coreper, is expected to suggest to the Council on Friday 10 June that it adopt the decision removing Sri Lanka from the list of third countries felt not to be doing enough to tackle illegal, undeclared and unreported (IUU) fishing.
In light of the reforms undertaken, the European Commission proposed in April that the “red card” given to Sri Lanka in February 2015 should be removed and trade measures against the country lifted (see EUROPE 11537). Sri Lanka drafted new legislative provisions, toughened sanctions, improved monitoring, control and inspection and tightened traceability systems. It will join the growing list of countries (Ghana, Papua-New Guinea, Korea, Philippines, Fiji, Belize, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu) which have reformed their systems following criticism from the EYU.
At the Council's working party on internal and external fisheries, the Commission representative highlighted, in addition to the progress made by Sri Lanka on rules and controls, the results achieved in regional cooperation within the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). Those delegations which spoke supported the regime on IUU fishing and how it is being applied by the Commission. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)