Resolution by ICCAT Calling for Further Actions Against Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported Fishing Activities by Large-Scale Longline Vessels in the Convention Area and Other Areas

Concerned that IUU fishing activities by large scale tuna longline vessels in the Convention Area have continued and increased, and aware that many vessels are shirting their flag from Non-Contracting Parties to Contracting Parties, this Resolution also notes that most of the vessels are owned and operated by Chinese Taipei’s business entities while almost all of their products are exported to Japan. The Resolution calls for parties, cooperating non-parties, entities or fishing entities to ensure that LSTLFVs do not carry out IUU fishing in the Convention Area and other areas, and directs them to take every possible action to urge businesses to refrain from engaging in transactions and transshipments of tuna and tuna-like species caught by vessels carrying out IUU fishing activities in the Convention Area and elsewhere.

The Commission also praises and urges Chinese Taipei’s effort to register Chinese Taipei built vessels engaged in IUU fishing and urges Japan to scrap Japan-built vessel engaged in IUU fishing activities in the Convention Area and elsewhere.