From now on, EU member states will refuse to import fishery products from Cameroon even when accompanied by catch certificates
Today, the Commission decided to designate Cameroon as a non-cooperating country in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, giving it a so-called “red card”. From now on, EU member states will refuse to import fishery products from Cameroon even when they are accompanied by catch certificates validated by national authorities.
Today’s decision is based on the EU’s ‘IUU Regulation’, which ensures that only legally caught fishery products can enter the EU market. Cameroon’s listing is based on continued serious deficiencies that were highlighted in a notification issued in February 2021 , which already warned of the possibility of Cameroon being designated as a non-cooperating country. In particular, it is based on the failure of the Cameroonian authorities to ensure adequate control of the national fishing fleet and to take the necessary corrective measures to end and prevent IUU fishing activities. Cameroon has continued to register fishing vessels operating outside its waters, including an IUU fishing vessel, while there is a complete lack of monitoring of their activities.
IUU fishing is one of the most serious threats to the sustainable exploitation of living marine resources. IUU fishing jeopardizes the foundations of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the EU’s international efforts to promote better ocean governance. IUU fishing also poses a major risk to the marine environment and marine biodiversity. Pursuing the objectives of the European Green Deal as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, marine and water resources, the European Commission is implementing a zero-tolerance approach to IUU fishing.
Among its actions, the Commission works with third countries to improve fisheries governance and ensure that all states comply with their international obligations.
Next steps
The Commission will continue the dialogue with the Cameroonian authorities to help the country address the deficiencies identified.
The Commission will now propose to the EU Council to add Cameroon to the list of non-cooperating countries.
Record
The total value of IUU fishing is estimated at at least 10-20 billion euros per year. Between 11 and 26 million tonnes of fish are caught illegally every year, an amount that corresponds to at least 15% of the world catch.
Today’s Commission decision is based on the EU IUU Regulation, which came into force in 2010. One of the pillars of the regulation is the catch certification system, which aims to ensure that only legally caught fishery products can access the EU market. The regulation also provides for specific dialogue mechanisms with countries that do not fulfill their obligations as flag states, coastal states, port states and market states under international law. While non-cooperation in the dialogue can lead to country characterization (the so-called ‘red card’ and subsequent listing), IWO dialogues are based on cooperation and support to countries and are an important step in addressing of the fisheries RDP. An overview of the process is available in this infographic.
Since November 2012, the Commission has opened formal dialogues with 26 third countries, in which it formally warned them to take effective measures to combat IUU fishing. In most cases, significant progress was made and, therefore, the Commission was able to satisfactorily complete the formal dialogue stage and lift the decisions taken. Only a few countries did not show the necessary commitment and did not take measures to remedy the deficiencies identified.
The EU is the largest importer of fishery products worldwide. The EU’s contribution to the 14th sustainable development goal of the 2030 agenda is to end IUU fishing and to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, marine and aquatic resources.
Athena Papakosta
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
