Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU)

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) covers fishing activities that breach national laws, are not properly reported to authorities, or take place in areas or for species where there are no effective management measures in place. IUU fishing is a global concern as it undermines sustainable fisheries, damages marine ecosystems, and distorts fair trade.

 

To prevent illegally caught fish from entering the supply chain, imports of certain fishery products must be accompanied by an IUU catch certificate. This certificate is issued by the flag state (the country where the fishing vessel is registered) and confirms that the fish were caught legally and in compliance with applicable regulations.

 

Catch certificates are required for wild-caught fish and certain products derived from them, helping authorities verify that imports meet legal and sustainability standards.