The collective effort of the United Nations Specialised Agencies to tackle the global problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing

Abstract

For decades, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has been a global threat to ocean sustainability, livelihoods and national security of coastal States, as well as the safety and human rights of fishing communities. It is a significant point of contention for the United Nations (UN), as it undermines many aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals. Being driven by profit maximisation, vessel owners involved in IUU fishing not only cut costs by flouting fisheries regulations, but also by compromising decent working conditions, crewing requirements, and safety of the vessel. Three UN Specialised Agencies – the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – have developed instruments relating to sustainable harvesting, working conditions, and vessel safety on board fishing vessels. Common to these instruments is that they contain port state measures for enforcement. Given the links between illegal vessels and poor safety and labour conditions, this allows for potential synergies in combatting IUU fishing and related problems through harmonisation of port inspections and interagency collaboration at national and regional level. In the year 2000, the Specialised Agencies established a Joint Working Group (JWG) with a specific focus on tackling IUU fishing and related issues. The JWG seeks to finds ways to co-develop strategies and utilise their respective international instruments to address the IUU problem. This paper reviews these instruments and evaluates how the UN Specialised Agencies work together to address IUU fishing and related matters through the JWG. The JWG has to date been somewhat unstructured, but recently updated and clearer terms of reference lay a stronger foundation for collaboration between the core partners, as well as extended collaboration with other actors, such as environmental NGOs. Understanding the interplay between social, economic, and ecological components of fisheries is crucial to eradicating IUU fishing and to a sustainable future. This leads us to conclude that there is a specific need for improved programmes and procedures within the JWG, as well as the creation of knowledge and capacity building programs for countries hardest hit by IUU fishing.