As we anticipated (see EUROPE 12655/11), on Wednesday 17 February, the European Commission decided to issue Cameroon with a yellow card as a warning to improve its actions to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The Commission has identified gaps in Cameroon’s capacity, as a flag, port and market state, to comply with the standards established by international maritime law.
In particular, Cameroon should, according to the Commission, “develop a robust registration policy for fishing vessels entitled to operate under its flag, and should ensure efficient and adequate control over fishing activities carried out by vessels flying its flag”. Weak flag state control is one of the major causes of illegal fishing in an international context.
In fact, Cameroon has registered a large number of fishing vessels under its flag in recent months (including IUU listed vessels), which raises serious concerns about its ability to efficiently control the activities of its fleet (particularly vessels operating outside Cameroonian waters) and vessels that have previously engaged in illegal fishing activities.
According to the information available, the legal framework seems “outdated” and does not contain the necessary provisions to ensure appropriate control of fishing vessels flying the Cameroonian flag in accordance with international obligations, says the Commission.
Cameroon has not demonstrated sufficient willingness to cooperate with the Commission to tackle illegal fishing.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, said IUU fishing “represents a major hazard to the marine environment, the sustainability of fish stocks and marine biodiversity”. He finds it “unfortunate that Cameroon has not been able to ensure proper control of fishing activities happening under its flag. The Commission stands ready to work and cooperate with Cameroon to implement the necessary reforms”.
Cameroon is being encouraged to take the necessary measures to comply with its international obligations to tackle pirate fishing.
The yellow card is a warning that gives Cameroon the opportunity to react and rectify the situation within a reasonable period of time. If Cameroon continues to fail to comply, however, it may ultimately face an identification procedure (known as a red card), which means that sanctions may be imposed on trade in fisheries products with the country.
The Commission has committed to a zero-tolerance approach to IUU fishing, the total value of which is approximately €10-20 billion a year. Between 11 and 26 million tonnes of fish are caught illegally every year, which corresponds to at least 15% of global catches.
The Commission’s decision is based on the EU’s IUU Regulation, which entered into force in 2010.
Of the 27 procedures that have begun since 2012, six have resulted in a red card. Only three countries have not taken sufficient action to remove the yellow or red card: Cambodia, Comoros and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
An overview of ongoing procedures can be found at: https://bit.ly/3rwGyw2 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)