Closing the net on IUU fishing

On 5 June FAO observes the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. This recurrence marks a historic event, namely the day when the Agreement on Port State Measures entered into force as the first international treaty devoted to combating IUU fishing.

The Day is for FAO an opportunity to both raise awareness on the impact of IUU fishing as one of the greatest threats to the sustainability of fisheries and the one of our ocean. The Day is also an opportunity to advocate for increased global, regional, and national commitment and efforts to combat IUU fishing.

This year, for the first time, the campaign for the Day will target consumers, by focusing on IUU fishing aspects that have an impact on the food they eat but also on the power consumers have through their choices on the status of fisheries resources and the health of marine ecosystems by paying attention to the origin of seafood and fish products, seafood and fish products traceability, environmental sustainability.

As part of the Campaign, a digital talk with industry experts and renowned personalities committed to sustainability (not necessarily experts in IUU practices), will contribute to raising awareness about IUU fishing as an issue that affects us all and that will take all of us to stop it.

Event Day and Time

The event will be held on Friday 4 June, the eve of the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, given that this year, the day falls on a Saturday. The event will take place at 15:00h (CET).