The EU rules to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing depletes fish stocks, destroys marine habitats, distorts competition, puts honest fishers at an unfair disadvantage, and weakens costal communities, particularly in developing countries.
The EU is working hard to close the loopholes that allow illegal operators to profit from their activities:
Under recently adopted rules only marine fisheries products validated as legal by the relevant flag state or exporting state can be imported to or exported from the EU.
A European black list has been drawn up covering both IUU vessels and states that turn a blind eye to illegal fishing activities.
EU operators who fish illegally anywhere in the world, under any flag, face substantial penalties proportionate to the economic value of their catch, which deprive them of any profit.
The new EU regulation to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing entered into force on 1 January 2010. The Commission is working actively to inform all parties on how to apply the new rules.
