The IUU-AA Pledge

1. Joining and effectively implementing international agreements:

International agreements to prevent IUU fishing already exist, but their membership and implementation remain incomplete. The IUU-AA advocates for the effective enforcement of these international agreements, encourages nations that have not yet joined to accede to key treaties, and urges international fisheries organizations, multilateral bodies, and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations to strengthen their efforts in combating IUU fishing.

2. Effective Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS):

Technological advancements play a vital role in strengthening monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS), but many countries—especially developing nations—require greater capacity to effectively enforce fisheries regulations. The IUU-AA advocates for increased support for technology and capacity-building initiatives to enhance enforcement efforts and urges all flag states to take responsibility for monitoring and regulating their fishing vessels, no matter where they operate.

3. Improved transparency and data sharing:

To fully leverage modern technologies in the fight against IUU fishing, greater access to and transparency of fisheries data is essential. The IUU-AA advocates for the use of platforms like the Global Information Exchange System, the integration of data from multiple sources, and the promotion of transparency and traceability throughout the seafood supply chain. Additionally, the alliance calls for improved data collection on harmful fishing practices linked to IUU fishing to strengthen global enforcement efforts.

We, The Participants of The IUU-AA Pledge To:

Understand the crucial role of our ocean for life on earth, knowing that it is home to 80 percent of the planet’s biodiversity and fundamental to the food security and livelihoods of billions of people
Emphasize that cooperation between states, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, along with well-managed and well-monitored fisheries, is essential to ensuring healthy oceans, resilient coastal communities, and global food security.
Recognize that IUU fishing threatens these ocean ecosystems, coastal communities, and global food supply by undermining fisheries management efforts and distorting trade.
Express concern that climate change is intensifying pressures on our oceans, leading to catastrophic impacts such as biodiversity and habitat loss, ocean acidification, deoxygenation, and increased competition for resources.
Recognize that IUU fishing is often linked to broader maritime security challenges, including forced labor, illicit trade, criminal activity, and violations of international law.
Highlight the urgent need to strengthen global support for and implementation of key international agreements that address IUU fishing and related maritime security threats.
Recall that nations have committed to combating IUU fishing, as reflected in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14.4 and 14.6, and the 2001 UN FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate IUU Fishing.
Note that strong coordination and partnerships—across government agencies, coastal and flag states, port and market actors, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector—are essential in the fight against IUU fishing.
Further note that data sharing and transparency are critical tools in exposing bad actors, empowering governments and stakeholders to detect and deter illegal activities, and that technological advancements play a key role in strengthening monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) and enforcement efforts.

We, The Participants of The IUU-AA Commit To Taking Proactive Measures – Together and Individually – To Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate IUU Fishing By:

Supporting the effective regulation and sustainable management of fisheries across all parts of the ocean, including through the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) in which they participate.
Urging all flag states to monitor and regulate their fishing vessels effectively, regardless of where they operate, by maintaining and publicly sharing vessel records through appropriate means. Additionally, encouraging cooperation with coastal and port states to support the sustainable management of fisheries and reduce the risk of illicit activities.
Encouraging international fisheries organizations, multilateral bodies, and states to expand existing efforts to combat IUU fishing, with a focus on improving transparency, adopting new technologies, and enhancing joint enforcement efforts to support comprehensive monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS).
Implementing and building global support for key international agreements, arrangements, and frameworks designed to combat IUU fishing, including the 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures.
Welcoming the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference on June 17, 2022, as a significant step forward in curbing harmful fisheries subsidies that contribute to overfishing and IUU fishing.
Strengthening the regulation of transshipment activities by adopting national and multilateral measures that align with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Transshipment, once formally adopted.
Fully utilizing the FAO Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels, and Supply Vessels, as well as the Global Information Exchange System, to promote transparency and accountability in fisheries management.
Advancing international information sharing and data interoperability to enable greater collaboration and data exchange worldwide, improving global responses to IUU fishing.
Demonstrating and promoting transparency and traceability across the seafood supply chain to strengthen market-based and import control tools, ultimately disrupting financial incentives for IUU fishing perpetrators.
Welcoming and encouraging support for technology and capacity-building initiatives that enhance fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS)—particularly in developing countries—by leveraging public-private partnerships, the FAO Global Capacity Development Program, the PSMA Part VI Assistance Fund, and targeted personnel training programs to bolster enforcement capabilities.
Improving data collection on harmful fishing practices related to IUU fishing, including labor abuses within the seafood supply chain, while increasing collaboration to better identify and address forced labor, unsafe working conditions, and human rights violations in the fishing industry.
Advancing the implementation of international instruments that address interlinked maritime challenges, such as the 2012 International Maritime Organization Cape Town Agreement and the 2007 International Labor Organization Work in Fishing Convention.
Acknowledging and supporting existing cooperative efforts to deter IUU fishing, particularly successful collaborative approaches involving developing countries and non-governmental partners.
Raising the issue of IUU fishing in high-level international forums and during ministerial and bilateral meetings to encourage countries to take additional steps in combating this global challenge.
Calling on others to join the IUU Fishing Action Alliance by signing onto this pledge and committing to stronger, collective action against IUU fishing.