European Commission Warns Comoros and Taiwan over Illegal Fishing

October 1, 2015

The European Commission has warned the Comoros and Taiwan with yellow cards, saying that they risk being identified as uncooperative countries in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

At the same time, the EC is lifting the yellow cards from Ghana and Papua New Guinea, which have significantly reformed their fisheries governance system.

The EC also adopted a Communication on the key achievements of the IUU Regulation in the first five years of its enforcement.

“Today’s decisions demonstrate the determination of the EU to bring important players on board in the fight against IUU fishing,” European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, said.

”Both Ghana and Papua New Guinea have taken ownership of their fisheries reforms and now have robust legal and policy frameworks in place to fight IUU fishing activities. I am calling on the authorities of the Comoros and Taiwan to follow their example and join the European Union in promoting legal and sustainable fisheries worldwide.”