(c) EJF
(c) EJF
The EU’s Regulation to ‘Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing’, which came into effect in 2010, has established a system to stop illegal fishing products from entering European ports.


In March 2011, EJF submitted evidence arising from its community surveillance program to the European Commission and Spain’s Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) that resulted in the seizure of several hundred tonnes of fish from the Seta No. 73 refrigerated cargo vessel.
The fish, which was stolen from some of the poorest countries in the world, was seized in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.


However, on 11th June 2011 MARM released the fish to the market, stating that they had found no evidence of IUU fishing activities. This contradicts evidence provided by four West African nations who were each victims of the activities of Seta No. 73 and the fishing vessels that supplied it.


The seizure and subsequent investigations into the presumed IUU fishing provide a ‘test case’ for the EU IUU regulation and Spain’s willingness to enforce it. EJF has conducted an extensive investigation into this decision, drawing on sources in Las Palmas, Mainland Spain, Brussels, West Africa and the United Kingdom.


In explaining the release of a large consignment of presumed illegal fish into the European seafood market, the Spanish government has sought to rely on a misinterpretation of the Regulation.


EJF has determined that Spanish authorities have wrongly asserted that they cannot deny entry to fish consignments if the evidence for this pertains to a breach of the national fisheries laws of a coastal state, rather than Spanish or international laws.


This interpretation undermines the intent and scope of the EU Regulation and threatens to render it impotent in addressing IUU fishing in West Africa. EJF is asking supporters to write to Spanish authorities to insist that they take a proactive approach to preventing and deterring IUU fishing.


We are calling on Spain to take decisive action to prevent further consignments of illegal fish from entering the European market through its ports.


Its significant position in the global seafood market comes with equally significant responsibilities.


To act on these responsibilities, Spain must take robust measures that support the efforts of coastal countries to defend their waters from illegal fishing operators.

 

Act now to stop pirate fish entering the EU!

To: Secretario General Carlos Domínguez Díaz, Secretaría General de Pesca


Message:

I am writing to urge you to ensure that Spain respects its legal commitments and moral duty to prevent and deter IUU fishing, in particular by meeting its obligations under the EU IUU Regulation.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a serious problem. It depletes fish stocks, degrades marine environments and threatens food security. It is estimated to result in global losses of between US$10 and $23.5 billion each year, and developing nations are particularly vulnerable. In addition, IUU fishing places legitimate fishing operators at an unfair disadvantage.

Council Regulation (EC) 1005/2008 to ‘Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing’ has established a system to stop illegal fishing products from entering European ports. This is an important initiative that requires the active support and participation of EU Member States—particularly Spain, which has Europe’s largest fishing industry and some of Europe’s busiest fishing ports.

In March 2011, EJF submitted evidence to the European Commission and Spain’s Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) that resulted in the seizure of several hundred tonnes of fish from the Seta No. 73 refrigerated cargo vessel.

However, on 11th June 2011, MARM released the fish to the market, stating that they had found no evidence of IUU fishing activities. This contradicts evidence provided by four West African nations who were each victims of the activities of Seta No. 73 and the fishing vessels that supplied it.

I agree with EJF’s analysis that Spain’s release of the consignment was damaging and is based on an erroneous and contradictory interpretation of the EU Regulation.

Spain must take decisive action to prevent further consignments of illegal fish from entering the European market through its ports. Its significant position in the global seafood market comes with equally significant responsibilities. To act on these responsibilities, Spain must take robust measures that support the efforts of coastal countries to defend their waters from illegal fishing operators.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name will go here]