IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing is a term commonly used in the fishing industry worldwide. IUU practices pose a major threat to the sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources and to regional and international efforts to protect marine biodiversity. It is estimated that IUU fishing activities represent US$15 billion per year and it is equivalent to almost 20% of the catch value that is reported worldwide.
In an effort to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, the European Union implemented Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 on September 29th 2008 ("Regulation 1005/2008") which entered into force on 1st January 2010.
Regulation 1005/2008 regulates the importation of fish products both processed and unprocessed (with some exceptions) to the EU either by EU flagged vessels or third country vessels (non-EU Member State). It also aims to regulate fishing activities of EU vessels exporting fish products outside the EU. As prescribed by Regulation 1005/2008, it is essential that EU Member States, third countries and the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO's) cooperate mutually so compliance with the different rules can be implemented as much as possible in all countries with fishing activities.
In the same line as Regulation 1005/2008, the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) in conjunction with the Belize Fisheries Department has worked tirelessly in the fight against IUU fishing.
Back in 2003 Belize adopted the High Seas Fishing Act (the "HSFA"), which mainly embodies the regulations of the various RFMOs. The HSFA set up the legal framework to manage a fleet of fishing vessels in a regulated manner. Since the inception of this legislation, Belize has deleted an astounding 513 non-compliant fishing vessels from its registry, which effectively reduced its fleet by 75%. This move, which is truly exemplary, reflects Belize's commitment to promoting a regulated fishing industry in line with the EU's initiatives. Currently Belize is in the process of revising this act to further tighten their regulatory framework and to make accommodations for new RFMO and EU regulations in an effort to promote responsible and sustainable fisheries in our oceans.
Belize is currently listed as contracting member or cooperating non-contracting member of different RFMO's where Belizean flagged vessels operate, including ICCAT, IATTC, WCPFC, IOTC, NEAFC and SPRFMO; and as such, Belizean vessels are entitled to privileges in these areas such as fishing quota allocations and other rights.
In addition to the above, all Belizean fishing vessels are monitored through the use of a VMS (Vessel Monitoring System). This resource aids greatly in the monitoring, control and surveillance of Belize's fishing fleet and plays an essential role in the fight against IUU fishing activities.
One of the ways proposed by Regulation 1005/2008 to control fishing activities is requiring each vessel to submit a catch certificate containing details of the catch intended to be landed. This catch certificate must be validated by the Flag State of the vessel who must certify that the catches have complied with all regulations applicable and no IUU activities have taken place. The Belize Fisheries Department ( the "BFD"), through the adoption of Regulation 1005/2008, has effectively implemented the EU's catch certification scheme. When an application for a catch certificate is received by the BFD, it is subjected to the validation process which includes authentication and verification of the information contained therein and cross-referenced against the vessel's catch reports, observer reports and VMS records. These certificates take between 1-2 business days to complete the validation process.
The EU recently conducted an evaluation mission to Belize to assess the measures taken in the adoption of the aforementioned regulation, and found that Belize has satisfactorily implemented the regulation. Nevertheless, as part of Belize's commitment to safeguard marine resources and secure the rights and privileges for their fleet, the following actions will soon be implemented:
1. Training of officers directly involved in the management of the high seas fishing fleet;
2. Authorised observers will be appointed in ports where Belizean flagged vessels land their catches to ensure compliance with the relevant control and management measures;
3. Review national legislation to strengthen the regulatory framework which pertains to the management of the Belize fishing fleet, revision which will include raising fines and sanctions when a breach of Belize's laws and adopted national and international regulations takes place;
4. Upgrading the Vessel Monitoring System to the standards of a Fishing Monitoring Centre to fully utilise its capabilities, which will aid in the better monitoring of fishing vessels.
5. Maintaining the status quo with the various RFMOs and advocate for greater quota allocations in order to better facilitate the needs of Belizean flagged vessels.
The different measures and policies that have been adopted by Belize are in line with the EU's initiatives to prevent IUU fishing, and the future measures that will be implemented evidence Belize's ongoing commitment to offer a flag with the highest standards of quality.
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