Basic Information about International Day against IUU Fishing
International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing is an annual event observed on June 5 to raise awareness to the threats of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and also to fight against these activities.
Observed on: June 5
Organized by: UN, FOA
Introduced in: 2017 (UN Declaration), 2018 (First Observation)
Observed: Worldwide
About International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
In its seventy second session in November 2017, UN General Assembly declared 5 June as the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. The day aims to raise awareness about threats of IUU fishing activities and fight against them. The day was first observed on 5 June 2018. Importance of June 5 is that on this date the Agreement on Port State Measures entered into force.
Fisheries is a vital source of food, employment, recreation, trade and economic well-being for people throughout the world. So sustainable fishing is important in these days. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities are destroying the resources. To curtail this and to remain fisheries as sustainable source for food, fight against IUU fishing is important. Also, some reports shows that about 11-26 million tons of fish each year is losing due to IUU fishing activities.
Activities and Programs on International Day against IUU Fishing
Educational and awareness programs are conducted on this day to raise awareness about the threats of IUU fishing. Various measures and efforts are taken by interested groups in fight against IUU fishing.
Programs and activities are also aiming at highlighting efforts and measures taken to combat illegal fishing. This includes various measures taken by UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and other related organizations against IUU fishing. Some of them includes FAO Port State Measures Agreement (2016), FAO Catch Documentation Schemes (2017), Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels (2014)