Stop IUU Fishing Award

IUU fishing is a complex and poses a significant threat to fisheries at the global, regional and local levels. IUU fishing is constantly changing in response to continually developing local, national, regional and international fisheries management measures and is often linked with other transnational crimes. To be effective, fisheries MCS, compliance and enforcement regimes need to innovate to respond to the dynamic challenge posed by IUU fishing. The Stop IUU Fishing Award recognizes fisheries MCS, compliance and enforcement initiatives that demonstrate creativity, success, and have real impacts. 

Entries from developing countries are particularly encouraged and applicants can be high tech, low tech or based on local or traditional knowledge. The award is presented at the GFETW with the first-place winners being flown to the Workshop to present their projects and receive their award.  All finalists also receive free registration to the GFETW. 

The winners of the 3rd Stop IUU Fishing Award held in 2019 were:

First place – the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency for its Integrated MCS Framework, strengthening national capacity and regional solidarity of sustainable tuna fisheries.

Second place – Thailand’s Department of Fisheries for its Fish Product Traceability System.

Third place – co-awarded to Spain’s General Secretariat of Fisheries/Secretaría General de Pesca de España for Regulatory Reform and Operation Sparrow; and Peru, on behalf of all counties which participate in the Network for the exchange of information and experience among countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, in Spanish language: Red de Intercambio de información y experiencias entre países de América Latina y El Caribe para Prevenir, Desalentar y Eliminar la Pesca INDNR.

The 4th Stop IUU fishing Award with be presented at the 7th GFETW in Halifax between 31 July and 4 August 2023. We look forward to welcoming our fisheries MCS, compliance and enforcement community to the GFETW and announcing the winner of the 4th Stop IUU fishing Award.