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Greenpeace Australia Pacific Oceans Team Leader Nilesh Goundar said it
is evident that until stronger monitoring, compliance and surveillance
systems are strengthened foreign vessels will continue to fish
illegally in South Pacific Waters.
Mr Goundar’s comments follow the US$102,564 fining of three foreign boat captains at the end of February for illegally fishing off Clipperton Island, a French possession.
In a second incident, a Fiji based company Waikava Marine Industries Limited was fined $30,000 for allowing a foreign vessel to illegally fish in Fiji waters.
Mr Goundar said this signalled the need to tighten regulation of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing fleets by developing and strengthening national and international standards and legislation. Fishing nations must prioritise the development and implementation of national plans of action to eliminate IUU fishing in accordance with international standards.
“IUU fishers undermine those who respect the rules and pay the necessary regulation costs. This is a disincentive for others who obey regulations and adopt sustainable fishing practises,” he said.
Mr Goundar furthermore mentioned that the initiative by France, Australia and New Zealand who have signed a tripartite declaration on maritime surveillance in early March in a bid to strengthen the fight on illegal fishing is encouraging.
“Hopefully we should see the benefits of this program soon in the region with practical help provided to Pacifc Island countries who because of resource contrainsts and competing development priorities could not allocate sufficient resources to deal with the plaque of IUU.”
Mr Goundar’s comments follow the US$102,564 fining of three foreign boat captains at the end of February for illegally fishing off Clipperton Island, a French possession.
In a second incident, a Fiji based company Waikava Marine Industries Limited was fined $30,000 for allowing a foreign vessel to illegally fish in Fiji waters.
Mr Goundar said this signalled the need to tighten regulation of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing fleets by developing and strengthening national and international standards and legislation. Fishing nations must prioritise the development and implementation of national plans of action to eliminate IUU fishing in accordance with international standards.
“IUU fishers undermine those who respect the rules and pay the necessary regulation costs. This is a disincentive for others who obey regulations and adopt sustainable fishing practises,” he said.
Mr Goundar furthermore mentioned that the initiative by France, Australia and New Zealand who have signed a tripartite declaration on maritime surveillance in early March in a bid to strengthen the fight on illegal fishing is encouraging.
“Hopefully we should see the benefits of this program soon in the region with practical help provided to Pacifc Island countries who because of resource contrainsts and competing development priorities could not allocate sufficient resources to deal with the plaque of IUU.”
