Implementation of IPOA/IUU - International MCS Network

2fisheries, IUU fishing accounts for up to 30 percent of total catches and in atleast one case possibly much more. 2 For example, the Indian Ocean TunaCommission (IOTC) recently indicated that at least 70,000 tons of tuna catchesby large longline vessels go unreported each year in the Indian Ocean. 3 TheInternational Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)estimated in 1999 that unreported catches represent about 10 percent of overallcatches of the major Atlantic tuna species (bluefin, swordfish and bigeye) andthat misreporting of catches by some ICCAT members is also suspected. 4 TheCommission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources(CCAMLR) indicated in 1999 its extreme concern about the high level of IUUfishing for toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) in its Convention Area, 5 a concern thathas been echoed by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.Moreover, available information strongly suggests that, despite apparentimprovement in some regional situations, the amount of IUU fishing world-wideis increasing, as IUU fishers seek to avoid compliance with stricter fishingregulations that are being imposed to deal with downturns in a growing numberof fish stocks. While some estimates suggest that IUU fishing may account for asmuch as one quarter of total catch in the world’s oceans, fully reliable data onIUU fishing are unfortunately scarce.2 See SOFIA 2000, p. 57.3 Report of the Second Meeting of FAO and Non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies orArrangements, p. 7. See also IOTC Resolution 00/01, indicating that “70 percent of datafrom longline operations [in that region] are still not reported to IOTC.”4 However, due presumably to a number of measures adopted by ICCAT in recent years tocombat IUU fishing, which are described in later sections of these guidelines, ICCATestimates of IUU fishing levels for at least bluefin tuna and bigeye tuna have decreased in1999/2000, compared to previous years.5 CCAMLR estimates for 1999/2000 show a decrease in IUU fishing for toothfish fromprevious years, but it remains quite high, at more than 8,000 tons of landings (greenweight). The high market value of toothfish has made this species a prime target for IUUfishing. CCAMLR members see this issue as the greatest challenge currently facing theCommission. The continuation of IUU fishing could reduce toothfish stocks to levelsfrom which they cannot recover. Also, the incidental mortality of seabirds caused by thoseinvolved in IUU fishing is threatening to drive to extinction a number of species,specifically petrels and albatrosses. For further information, see “The Illegal andUnregulated Fishery for Toothfish in the Southern Ocean, and the CCAMLR CatchDocumentation Scheme,” by D.J. Agnew.