Progress is being made towards lifting the yellow card that the European Union gave Ecuador in 2019, according to Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries Sonsoles García.
She stated that in March 2024, according to the latest audit carried out by DG Mare, 14 observations and 12 activities were recorded, which gives an account of Ecuador’s commitment to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The expectation is that on 1st September, a report will be sent again resolving the observations raised by the European inspection team.
She pointed out that the notification given to Ecuador 2019 included 56 observations and concerned 60 activities related to law enforcement, fleet management, monitoring, control and surveillance.
Among the advances to be reported concerning fleet management, the holds of tuna vessels have been verified, with special attention to vessels with increases and decreases in carrying capacity, in addition to which a permanent monitoring of landings has been implemented to monitor the volumes declared to IATTC.
In terms of monitoring, control and surveillance, supervision of landings has been upgraded, random checks are carried out on plants after discharging, and vessels are also checked before landing. To ensure traceability, and integrated landing control system has been put in place, with movements recorded and catch certificates.
The Minister commented tthat Ecuador exports seafood products worth $1.2 billion to the European Union, so the government is committed to effective action.
