Fill critical gaps in scientific knowledge and assessment

Problem: Estimating the magnitude of IUU fishing is a significant problem. Poor, inaccurate or non-existing reporting of IUU catches and by-catch significantly degrades the accuracy of assessments of the impact of all fishing activities.

Project: IUU Monitoring Programme

The High Seas Task Force has acknowledged that part of the difficulty in combating IUU fishing is in understanding it - where it is taking place, what types of IUU activity are most important, who is doing it, why, and what is the magnitude of the problem?

There is currently no single, global view of the size and distribution of IUU fishing activity, although there are a number of country- and region- specific initiatives. An ability to track the development of IUU fishing on a global scale will be important in understanding whether these initiatives are having an effect on IUU fishing, or simply changing its nature and distribution.

This UK-based initiative has established a Network of organisations interested in sharing information and ideas on measuring IUU fishing to encourage the development of standard procedures for preparing a periodic ‘Global IUU Report’. The network is gathering data on IUU fishing from both existing and new studies and a first global report is to be produced in 2008. The project is managed by the Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG, UK).

The starting point for the IUU network project was a workshop in November 2006 in London, which developed the methods for monitoring IUU fishing and the objectives and modalities of operation.  In order to continue the project from the initial workshop stage an internet site was set up to allow network members to exchange information, discuss developments and to submit data to be used in the production of the report. As of June 2007, there were 81 members of the network and it continues to grow.

This project will improve global ability to assess the economic and environmental impact of IUU fishing on fish stocks. Following delivery of the first IUU network global report, the current proposal is that the network will become part of the existing MCS Network which acts as an information and training resource for fisheries enforcement officers all over the world.

Data submission has begun from network members and analysis by the network is intended to take place at the end of 2007. Several focused projects will provide further information on areas where data has been difficult to access in the past. The project is also focused on developing nations, particularly Africa and South East Asia.

Contact :
David Agnew, Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG Ltd), London, UK.
Email: d.agnew@mrag.co.uk

Partners:
International Partners cooperation (UK funded network)

Further information:
Monitoring Global IUU Fishing: Analysis and Monitoring through an IUU Tracking Network