Implementation of IPOA/IUU - International MCS Network

56RFMOs engage in IUU fishing. No strategy for dealing with IUU fishing cansucceed unless it addresses both groups effectively.Nor can RFMOs succeed if they try to address IUU fishing as a problemunconnected to the rest of their mandates. To the contrary, RFMOs must findways to integrate measures to control IUU fishing with their other basicmissions, including, for example, conservation of resources, control of catchesand effort, management of fishing capacity, by-catch reduction, scientificresearch, general data collection and dissemination, etc. 113As highlighted in paragraph 83 of the IPOA-IUU, RFMOs shouldaddress the issue of access to the resources under their purview in order to fostercooperation and enhance sustainability. The inability of some RFMOs to agreeon equitable access to these resources has undoubtedly contributed to IUUfishing.In one sense, RFMOs can be only as effective in dealing with IUUfishing as their members (and others who participate in their work) direct orallow them to be. In another sense, however, RFMOs can often accomplishthings that their members, acting individually, cannot. One reason for this is thatgovernments are generally more willing to impose controls on their fishing fleetsif other governments do so as well. RFMOs are obvious fora for coordinatingsuch action and for creating “level playing fields” on which internationalfisheries can be conducted. RFMOs also lend legitimacy to measures, such astrade restrictions, that would be controversial if applied unilaterally.Earlier sections of these guidelines have already touched on a numberof the critical steps that RFMOs can take to prevent, deter and eliminate IUUfishing. To review, RFMOs can:collect and disseminate information relating to IUU fishingidentify vessels that are engaging in IUU fishing and coordinatemeasures against themidentify States whose vessels are engaging in IUU fishing and canurge identified States to rectify such behaviour113 For extensive discussion on actions taken by RFMOs to address IUU fishing andrelated matters, see “The Role of National Fisheries Administrations and Regional FisheryBodies in Adopting and Implementing Measures to Combat IUU Fishing,” by JudithSwan.