IUU fishing is a complex issue and poses a significant threat to the world’s oceans at the global, regional and local levels. IUU fishing is constantly changing in response to evolving local, national, regional and international conservation and fisheries management measures. To be effective, fisheries MCS, compliance and enforcement regimes must be innovative, adaptable and targeted to respond to the dynamic challenges posed by IUU fishing. The IMCS Network developed the Stop IUU Fishing Award initiative to recognize national and regional fisheries MCS, compliance and enforcement initiatives that demonstrate creativity, success, and have real impacts.
Entries for the Stop IUU Fishing Award are welcomed from all over the world and entries from developing countries are particularly encouraged. Entries may demonstrate MCS and compliance approaches that are high tech, low tech, based on local or traditional knowledge. There are no limitations. What is key is that the entries demonstrate real impact in combatting IUU fishing. The Stop IUU Fishing Award is presented at the Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop (GFETW) and first-place winners are flown to the Workshop to present their work and to receive the Award.
The 4th Stop IUU Fishing Award was presented at the 7th GFETW in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The winner of the 4th Stop IUU Fishing Award was:
The Bahamas Ministry of National Security and Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources: Marine Action Partnership.
Three entries also received meritorious recognition due to the quality of their submissions and the high standard of work being undertaken to combat IUU fishing:
Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA): MIMRA’s Work in the World’s Largest Tuna Transshipment Port
The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC): Regional Fisheries Surveillance Plan (PRSP).
The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership: Universal Fishery Identification System.
The IMCS Network is currently reviewing our initiatives that recognize and encourage excellence in fisheries MCS, compliance and enforcement. We want to ensure we are doing all we can to promote and support innovative initiatives that are having a real impact in our battle to combat IUU fishing. So please don’t wait for the 5th Stop IUU Fishing Award and contact us at any time to discuss how we might be able to promote and support your work.
Learn more about the winner of the 4th Stop IUU Award, the Bahamas approach to combatting IUU fishing and the work of the Marine Action Partnership. Click on the link below to view the presentation given at the 7th GFETW on the work in the Bahamas.
Learn more about the work in the Western Indian Ocean under the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Plan, under which nine island and coastal states collaborate to fight IUU fishing in a maritime area of 7.23 million km2. Click on the link below to view the presentation given at the 7th GFETW on the impact of the PRSP.
Learn more about the work of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) in Majuro, the world’s largest tuna transhipment port and an important port in the fight against IUU fishing. Click on the link below to view a presentation given at the 7th GFETW on MIMRAs Carrier vessel risk assessment processes.
