The European Commission took action on Tuesday 23 May against three countries which it feels are not doing enough to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Comoros have each been shown a red card, which means that the Commission is proposing that trade sanctions be imposed (inclusion on the list of countries that are not cooperating in the fight against IUU fishing). Liberia has been given a warning (yellow card).
“We do not like to impose sanctions on third countries, but sometimes clear action is needed. We invite the Comoros and Saint Vincent and Grenadines to seriously step up their fight against illegal fishing so that we can reverse this decision quickly”, said Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella. He hopes that, after receiving a warning, the Liberian authorities will “choose to act quickly and correct their wrongdoings”.
Comoros. The decision to issue a red card to the Comoros is based on the typical use of its flag as flag of convenience, which means registering a ship in a sovereign state different from that of the ship’s owners. “Most of the Comorian fleet has no connection to the country and operates in breach of national law, mainly in the waters of West Africa”, the Commission states. These vessels have been found to disregard the laws applicable in the national waters they operate in, transhipping fish from one vessel to another, “a practice related to the laundering of illegal catches”, the Commission adds. The sanctions imposed will not, in this particular case, have any impact on trade as the Comoros do not export fish to the EU. However, EU vessels will no longer be allowed to take licences to fish in their waters.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. For Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the decision comes as a result of the lack of control by the authorities of vessels flying their flag. These vessels operate all over the Atlantic and offload their catches in Trinidad and Tobago (which has already been warned about improving control over activities in its ports). “Effectively, these vessels elude any control over their activities. This raises the concern that they are involved in illegal practices”, says the Commission. Two vessels from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are already on the international vessel black list compiled by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. Like the Comoros, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines does not export fish to the EU.
Liberia. Liberia has the second largest shipping registry in the world with over 100 fishing transport vessels registered under this flag. The national fisheries authorities do not have the information or means to monitor this fleet. A Liberian vessel was listed on the international black list last October. Liberia has taken reform measures including the revision of its fisheries laws but the Commission regrets, no tangible progress has followed. The Commission hopes that this warning (yellow card) will encourage the country to implement the necessary reforms in fisheries governance. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)